Parika fuel dealer’s killer gets 70 years in prison

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 November 2020, 13:34 by Denis Chabrol

Following a guilty verdict by the jury in relation to the April 30, 2016 murder of Parika, East Bank Essequibo businessman, Mr Seeram Singh, convicted killer Curt Thomas has been sentenced to 70 years’ in prison for the crime.

The custodial sentence was handed down on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by Justice Navindra Singh during a Zoom hearing at the High Court in Demerara.

In arriving at a sentence for Thomas, 44, Justice Singh, without providing any reasoning, started at a base of 60 years to which another 10 years was added since the evidence shows the crime was premeditated.

Thomas only becomes eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 40 years behind bars. Mr Seeram Singh’s family members, who were present in court expressed gratitude to everyone who helped them in getting justice for their loved one.

“We are satisfied with the justice that has been given to us,” one of Mr Seeram Singh’s relatives told the court.

Even after he was convicted by the jury last week, Thomas showed no remorse. In fact, he maintained that he was innocent and hurled a series of expletives at the court.

At the commencement of his trial at the High Court in Demerara, Thomas, also known as “Yankee”, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lyndon Amsterdam, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

State Counsel Ms Tuanna Hardy and State Counsel Ms Tyra Bakker presented the case for the prosecution.

Based on reports, Mr Seeram Singh, 52, a fuel dealer of 40 Parika Outfall, East Bank Essequibo, was shot twice by Thomas who also relieved him of gold jewellery he was wearing. Mr Seeram Singh was walking on the roadway when he was attacked and shot by Thomas, who stood over him and shot him once to the head and chest before escaping.

According to information received, the killer only took Mr Seeram Singh’s gold chains, even though the businessman had his wallet and cell phone, and was wearing gold rings when he was killed.

During the trial, Thomas of Hyde Park Essequibo, had proclaimed that he was innocent and that he was nowhere at or near the crime scene. The now convicted killer had claimed that the police were trying to frame him for the crime.

By Court Reporter