Woman’s face disfigured in acid attack

Kaieteur News – April 2, 2008

Police on the East Coast of Demerara have launched a manhunt for a deportee who doused his estranged lover with corrosive acid, completely disfiguring her face.

According to reports, about 09:15 hours yesterday security guard Alana Yaw, 34, of Triumph, East Coast Demerara, was on her way home when the man with whom she had recently severed a relationship allegedly threw the acid in her face.

An eyewitness recalled that the man came up from behind the woman and first poured the liquid behind her neck. When the woman turned around, the man emptied the contents of the bottle in her face before making good his escape.

The screaming woman was assisted by public spirited persons and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she has been admitted.

Woman, two grandchildren perish in Land of Canaan fire

…survivor nursing burns in GPHC
Kaieteur News – April 2, 2008

An elderly woman and her two grandchildren perished early yesterday morning after a mystery fire razed their two-bedroom home at Lot Six, Land of Canaan Old Road, East Bank Demerara.

But one other occupant escaped death by jumping from an upstairs window.

Some neighbours are speculating arson as the wooden structure was consumed in a matter of minutes, even as some people formed a bucket brigade and helplessly listened to the screams of the trapped occupants.

There are reports that a drug addict, who had broken into the bottom flat on at least two occasions, had started the fire. Dead are Basmat Arjune, 65; Melvina Singh, aged nine; and her brother, five-year-old Shamar John Mc Pherson. Their cousin, 25-year-old Suresh Moreno, called ‘Tony’, suffered burns to his back and arms after he tried to save the children and their grandmother. He is being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Burns Unit.  

Tailor attempted to poison teenaged ex-lover

-court hears
Stabroek News – April 2, 2008

A 31-year-old tailor accused of attempting to kill a 15-year-old girl with whom he had a relationship and then attempting to commit suicide was granted bail when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Noel Persaud called ‘Ears Man’ of Lot 40 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and attempting to commit suicide and was granted bail in the sum of $100,000 by Magistrate Fazil Azeez.

It is alleged that on March 19 at La Grange, with intent to commit murder, he attempted to administer a poisonous substance to the 15-year-old girl. It is also alleged that on the same day, he attempted to commit suicide.

Reports are that the defendant and the virtual complainant had been engaged in a relationship but the intervention of the Probation and Welfare Department last year saw Persaud being warned to keep away from the girl and to end the relationship. He complied but last month reportedly received information that the girl was engaged in a new relationship.  

April criminal sessions open

Guyana Chronicle – April 2, 2008

THE April criminal sessions of the Demerara Assizes opened yesterday with the traditional ceremonial parade and the inspection of the Guard of Honour, by Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes, who took the salute at the March Past outside the Victoria Law Courts building in Georgetown.

It was the first time that criminal sessions would proceed concurrently after Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang did not postpone the opening to await the conclusion of the unfinished session.

Judge orders probation report on manslaughter convict
ANTHONY Cyrus called ‘Tony’, who strangled his reputed wife, Melanie Hinds on March 21, 2004, was yesterday convicted of manslaughter.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence and Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes ordered a probation report on his background, pending sentence on April 21.  

Muslims tell ERC they want polygamy institutionalized

Stabroek News – April 2, 2008

Muslim leaders told the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) that they are concerned about religious intolerance displayed by some employers who are reluctant to grant Muslim employees time-off to pray on Fridays and they also called for polygamy to be institutionalized.

According to an ERC press release, Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill said the group had received similar complaints before but had managed to settle the specific issues amicably. However, he said there was greater need for religious sensitivity towards Muslims and other religious practices.

Meanwhile, Private Sector representative at the ERC L John P Willems said the crossing of cultures is necessary to dispel suspicion and foster harmony in a multicultural society like Guyana. Willems told the Muslim constituency at the ERC’s annual constituency consultation, held at its Secretariat on Thursday, that emphasis must be placed on exploring “the richness of our multicultural diversity” rather than a preoccupation with one’s own culture. He said despite the ‘mixing’ in business transactions and other areas Guyanese “seldom get an opportunity to really understand the intricate details of each other’s culture.” He urged Muslim leaders to use the medium of television to explore this option.