Deadly gas station explosion case adjourned to September 9

Paper committal proceedings in the case surrounding the deadly October 2025 explosion at the Mobil gas station on Regent Street have been adjourned until September 9, 2026 at 9:30 hrs, when the defence is expected to present submissions on the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence.

The matter came up on Wednesday before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Among the evidence tendered so far were surveillance recordings, video and audio interview clips of Police interviews conducted with the accused, along with discs containing material relevant to the case. These add to previously submitted evidence, including photographs, medical reports and DNA analysis reports.

The paper committal proceedings will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the accused to stand trial in the High Court based on written evidence and legal submissions.

Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, who prosecutors allege is the mastermind of the attack, is jointly charged with Alexander Bettencourt, Johnny Boodram and Krystal La Cruz.

Two other accused men, Ramesh Pramdeo and Wayne Correia, who were charged in a separate magisterial district, were freed in April after the court upheld a no-case submission in their favour.

During previous court appearances, Ramirez Poedemo repeatedly claimed responsibility for the attack and called on the court to release the other accused. However, following an adjournment in the matter, the court was informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided to proceed with the charges against the remaining defendants.

The October 2025 explosion claimed the life of young Soraya Bourne and caused widespread shock across the country.