PAGE 72
Kaieteur News
Sunday November 10, 2019
Murder suspect claims, he killed Known culprits get four years for armed robbery wife in self defence Floyd Rodrigues is claiming that he accidently killed his common-law-wife, Gwenette Alexander, in an act of self defence. This is according to someone who knows Rodrigues well. Six years ago in Tinapu Backdam, North West District (NWD), an argument erupted between the suspect and Alexander. The suspect claimed that he was attacked by Alexander with a knife. He said that he was stabbed three times by the woman and in fear for his life, he allegedly pushed Alexander and ran. When he returned, he noticed that Alexander was lying face down on the floor. The suspect then proceeded to turn Alexander over and realised that the knife was stuck in her abdomen.Rodrigues then panicked, grabbed their seven-month-old baby boy
and escaped. Since this time, Rodrigues hid from the police until he was captured Tuesday last by ranks that operated on intelligence-led information, in Mahdia, Region Eight. In 2013, Alexanders body was discovered by a neighbour who owned a mining camp close to the victims shop, which she owned with her common law husband. The man contacted the victims mother and told her of his shocking discovery. Police Ranks from the Arakaka Police outpost were contacted. They entered the “Backdam” and found Alexanders body lying on a bed with the throat slashed and stab wounds to the abdomen. But Rodrigues was nowhere to be found. Police began their investigation and learnt that
Murder suspect Floyd Rodrigues Rodrigues had paid a 53-yearold farmer to take him and his two children to Red Hill Barima Waini. The Community Relations Officer of Region one, Inspector Mark Smith told this publication yesterday that Rodrigues was transported to Georgetown and questioned. He said the file has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.
Man jailed for Chinese Supermarket robbery One man who was arrested following the recent robbery of a Chinese supermarket at No.2 East Canje Berbice has been jailed. Maryo Bissoondyal, 30, an unemployed man of Lot 141 Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, on Friday appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate Court’s on a charge of robbery under arms. He was accused of robbing Zhou Chumin, Cheng A Fu and Imtiaz Azeez of
Maryo Bissoondyal $300,000 and two cell phones at the China Town Supermar-
CARICOM looks to eliminate... From page 15 The Understanding notes that the realisation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be greatly advanced by the strategic application and increased usage of ICT and applying a whole-of-government approach. The Ministers recognized the ICT Space could only be developed with partnership and commitment of all stakeholders in the public and private sectors, civil society and International Development Partners.
ket on November 2, last. This supermarket is located at No.2 Village, Canje, Berbice. At the time Bissoondyal, was with others who were armed with guns and a cutlass. The man pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on each count, which will run concurrently. The police had issued wanted bulletins for three men. Jason Isaacs, of Lot 18 Bristol Street, East Canje, has so far turned himself over to the police. Police are still on the hunt for two men including Ravindra Punwasie, called ‘Rajin’, 36, and Doonauth Bissoondyal, called ‘Lil Budhan’, 22; all of East Canje, Berbice. It was previously reported that bandits armed with guns and cutlasses stormed a No. Two Village, East Canje Supermarket, and escaped with cash and other valuables.
Two men who are known to the authorities have been sentenced to four years in jail for robbery under arms. Sylvester Joseph, called “Squeaky”, 33, a labourer of Victor Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice and Christopher Rampersaud, 40, a taxi driver of Canefield, East Canje, Berbice had previously pleaded not guilty, but subsequently changed their plea to guilty.The men appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court. They were accused of robbing a 54year-old businesswoman, Tarmattie Seelochan, and four others at her business – Indra’s Grocery and Beer Garden –at Canefield, East Canje, Berbice on April 13, 2019.During the ordeal, they reportedly robbed the occupants of cash, cell phone, watches and other valuables. They are accused of robbing Taramattie Seelochand of valuables worth $520,000; Premchand Seelochand of $206,000; Neil Seelochand of valuables worth $190,000; Andrea Beerbajhan of a motorcar worth $2.1M and other valuables; Fizal Latiff of valuables
Christopher Rampersaud and Sylvester Squeaky Joseph worth $35,000 and Rohan seph and under intense grillDoenarine of valuables worth ing, he implicated the others. The bandit then led the po$320,000. The two men and an ac- lice to a location where he complice stormed the busi- handed over an unlicensed ness, armed with cutlass and firearm.Subsequently, the guns about 22:00hrs on the men were arrested and day in question and relieved charged along with 22-yearthe victims of their cell old Ashley Bonita Drepaul of phones, cash, jewellery and Main Street Cumberland, car keys.After committing the Canje, Berbice who is said to act, the bandits escaped in a be Joseph’s girlfriend. One car belonging to one of the of the missing cell phones victims. The vehicle was re- was also found in her covered the following day in possession.The men have a a community on East Bank number of other cases pendBerbice.Acting on intelli- ing in the courts.Drepaul’s gence, the police arrested Jo- case is still ongoing.
Mismanagement blamed as GPL skates on thin ice ... (From page 3) suppliers on the East Bank of Demerara, including Guyana Oil Company and Sol.However, it was not HFO that GPL was acquiring. Rather, it was buying the more expensive Light Fuel Oil. The faster-burning, more expensive fuel was also proving a major logistical problem for GPL- it could not get the fuel fast enough to the power plants.By the time, the trucks offload their fuel and reach back to the suppliers on the East Bank, the fuel stock would run low.Crunch time hit earlier this month and Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson, learnt of the situation suddenly. “There was deep anger by the Minister over the situation. The Board was not told. Management knew,” a source close to the company disclosed.GPL had been forced to introduce a number of emergency Caterpillar sets, using the more expensive but accessible diesel, to ease the
outages.According to sources, GPL was forced to employ the use of police escorts for the trucks to its power stations- all the while nothing was being told to the Board.It was disclosed that Minister Patterson called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where an emergency call was made the Foreign Affairs officials in Suriname. “They sent out an SOS to state that look we have this problem- the country is gonna shut down, and the Minister used some leverage. Staatsolie immediately agreed to send two vessels that weekend, earlier this month, averting what could have been an unthinkable situation.“We have fuel now but it is still a touch and go situation. This situation could have been avoided had the relevant people been informed. Suriname is doing what they can, but situation is not good.”In a statement earlier this month of the fuel shortage, GPL said it is experienc-
Kamla passes through PNM rally PORT OF SPAIN – Police officers were kept busy in Siparia in south Trinidad after a motorcade led by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar passed by a People’s National Movement (PNM) public meeting being held in the stronghold of the United National Congress (UNC).Along the route of the motorcade, police officers jostled with supporters, in an attempt to keep the road clear.As the motorcade neared the Thick Village Community Centre, where the PNM meeting was under way, police officers stopped the UNC motorcade and spoke with Persad-Bissessar about the use of loudspeakers that were disrupting the meeting.The loudspeakers were turned down. Member of Parliament for Fyzabad, Dr Lackram Bodoe, and Member of Parliament for Oropouche East, Dr Roodal Moonilal were part of the motorcade.“Rowley must go” screamed supporters along the way. (Trinidad Express)
ing a shortfall in generation as a result of an inadequate supply of HFO.This has resulted from delays in delivery by the contracted HFO supplier. “Consequently, we are operating some of our generating sets, which are dual fired, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Light Fuel Oil (LFO). Unfortunately, some of the generating sets are not achieving the expected output on the LFO.” GPL said that the reduced output from the generators has adversely impacted the company’s ability to reliably meet demand.“GPL expects to receive supplies of HFO this weekend, which will lead to an improvement in the situation. GPL apologises for any inconvenience that may be caused to our customers as a result of this temporary situation. “The company will publish any areas that would be affected.”The situation over the fuel came as news spread that GPL’s board on Friday met in an emergency session to discuss the sacking of two members.Deputy CEO, Renford Homer and Bal Persaud, Human Resources Manager, were told this week by Gordon, a Jamaican national hired last year, that they were no longer needed. The Board in reversing the decision said it was not aware of the decision sackings.Homer had performed the duties of the CEO for months before Gordon was hired.GPL is under fire to improve its performance and increase generation but it will take millions of US dollars for this to happen.