Crime

-Code also considers health of victim, withdrawal from case Guyana’s Code for Prosecutors provides sufficient basis for Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall  to be charged with the rape of a 16-year old girl although the complainant has formally asked to withdraw the complaint, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) said on Saturday. “Public interest considerations in the Dharamlall case point ...

The 16-year old, who accused Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall of raping her last December, on Friday asked police to withdraw from the investigation, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Assistant Commissioner Wendell Blanhum said. “At this time, I am only able to confirm that the alleged victim has given a ‘no further action statement’ to investigators in the presence ...

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Wednesday asked police to further investigate the 16-year old girl’s rape allegation against Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, the Head of the Police Force’s Head of Criminal Investigations Department, Assistant Commissioner Wendell Blanhum said. Another source said the DPP provided legal advice for police to deepen its probe. Mr Dharamlall, through his lawyer ...

Guyana is borrowing Trinidad and Tobago’s plea bargaining legislation, aimed at facilitating discussions between prosecutors and offenders to ease the backlog of criminal cases and reduce the prison population, authorities said. “Its primary intent is to provide the opportunity for prosecutors and accused persons to meet under specific circumstances and negotiate a settlement acceptable to the principles of justice,” the ...

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) on Monday denied that the 16-year old girl, who has complained that Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall allegedly raped her, was prevented from having a private lawyer. “At no time was the child denied additional or private legal representation,” the agency said days after Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd said publicly that the CPA had prevented counsel ...

Well-known Guyanese lawyer Nigel Hughes on Monday defended his decision to defend People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) government minister, Nigel Dharamlall in a rape allegation by a 16-year old schoolgirl, arguing that his priority is to ensure that the system works fairly for the complainant and the accused. “We have to ensure first of all you protect the person who ...

The Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coast Guard and Air Corps are undergoing major upgrades as part of an integrated approach to counter illegal activities, patrol the country’s borders and move troops and equipment, a well-placed source said Monday. The latest addition is the Beechcraft King Air 350, which was seized in 2017, and fully-refurbished at a cost of US$2 million ...

Two agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) are to be fired for their alleged theft of several pieces of diamond from a Surinamese man who was allegedly caught with an illegal firearm in his possession, CANU Head James Singh said. “We are preparing their exit from the unit since the police are going to institute charges,” Mr Singh told ...

Guyana’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Hack on Saturday recommended the scrapping of jury trials for murder accused in the interior regions, and offences such as money laundering, trafficking in persons and cybercrime because of the technical nature of the evidence. She called on the Guyana government to amend the legislation to allow for judge-only trials as reasons should ...

Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Judge, Jacob Wit on Saturday expressed concern about the protracted delay in accused persons on bail and on remand awaiting trial, prompting him to recommend the establishment of a pre-trial Chamber in Guyana to address the worrying trend. “Regionally, the delays are such that they are simply unacceptable. In some persons, accused persons are on ...