Trafalgar/Union CDC seeks government’s intervention to resolve land, other issues

- not eligible for parole

Wesley Bazil called “Trappy”, a shopkeeper, was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a15-year-oldgirl.

Afterhewasfoundguilty of the crime, last month, Bazil had attempted suicide in court. On Thursday, he wassentencedbyHighCourt Judge Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara SexualOffencesCourt.

At the sentencing hearing, the court also heard that Bazil was convicted of a similar crime in New Jersey, United States, and after serving his time, he was deportedtoGuyana.

Also, the victim impact andrapedher the victim going to trial. The statement was read to the Two months later, the judge called Bazil a court. The victim said that child’s parents found calculated predator who being sexually assaulted was messages in her phone with showed no remorse for what the most traumatising her confiding in a friend he has done to the child. experience which has about being sexually Justice Singh then imposed impactedherlife.Thevictim assaultedbyBazil. the life sentence on Bazil, also told the court that being Inthiscase,theStatewas noting that he is not eligible sexually assaulted affected represented by prosecutors forparole. her to the point where she Nefeeza Baig, Tiffani Lyken Last month, a 12dropped out of school and and Praneta Seeraj. In her member jury found Bazil engaged in self-harm. The address to the court, State guilty of two counts of rape. court also heard that she Prosecutor, Tiffani Lyken, The jury returned with the frequently ran away from reminded the court of the verdict some three hours home. nature, gravity and afterdeliberating.

According to reports, prevalence of the offence. After the verdict was during the month of She even asked the court to announced, Bazil attempted December 2020, the child imposeasentencethatwould suicide. He took out a razor would visit Bazil’s shop send a strong message to blade, and attempted to slit where he sexually assaulted deterlike-mindedoffenders. his own throat. However, her During the month of For his part, Justice swift action by the court January 2021, the child was Singh in his remarks officers averted a tragedy sent to Bazil’s shop and highlighted that Bazil Bazil was rushed to the when she arrived, Bazil took pleaded not guilty to the hospital in an unconscious her to the back of his yard charges, which resulted in stateformedicalattention.

to discuss the issue.

A group of farmers was initially leased to the time now and are bullying r e s i d i n g i n t h e Trafalgar/UnionCDC. the people,” Ms Angus Trafalgar/Unionareaandare She further stated that explained. After listening to m e m b e r s o f t h e under the previous theissue,MinisterMustapha T r a f a l g a r / U n i o n APNU/AFC government, said that the matter was Community Development the then Neighbourhood disturbing. He noted that Council (CDC) are seeking Development Council since the issue needed legal the intervention of the (NDC) chose not to attention,theministrywould government to reclaim lands recognise the established have to engage the Attorney theysaidwereillegallytaken CDC after which another General and Minister of fromthem. CDC, the Trafalgar/Tempe Legal, Anil Nandlall on the Agriculture Minister, CDC was formed. This new matter

Zulfikar Mustapha and CDC, she explained, Inadditiontolandissues, Minister of Public Service, permitted the NDC to erect Minister Mustapha also Sonia Parag met with the houses on the land although committed to assisting the farmers to discuss some of the lease which was issued farmers with pursuing their the issues faced, the most by the MMA listed the agricultural activities He urgent being the land issue. Trafalgar/Union CDC as the noted that a team from the Prior to Thursday’s meeting, lessee. She also told the Fisheries Department will the group met with Vice ministers that members of visittheareatodeterminethe President, BharratJagdeoto thecurrentNDCaredenying feasibility of developing discuss the matter m e m b e r s o f t h e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e f o r

According to the CDC’s Trafalgar/UnionCDCaccess aquaculture. representative, Lloyda tothoselands.

Minister Mustapha also Angus, the land which falls “I have two members saidhewouldvisittheareato under the control of the here After the Local further discuss how the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Government Elections, government can assist with Agriculture Development when they went to the lands, developingagriculturethere. Authority (MMA-ADA) the NDC saying it is their (DPI)