KELVIN Joshua Singh, also known as ‘Putoo’, has been sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Berbice Assizes, after he was found guilty of throwing a destructive liquid from a green bottle on Harlon Rose.The substance caused permanent disfigurement to the back of Rose’s head and along his left side, including his shoulder, arm and abdomen.

Singh, 26, had been indicted with the name Kelvin Joshua, but a birth certificate recorded his correct name, which was highlighted during the presentation of the probation report at the Berbice Assizes on Friday.

The convict had been indicted with the principal count of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and an alternative count of throwing destructive substance.
The 12-member mixed jury had, last month, returned within 25 minutes after retiring, the verdict with respect to the first count, which stated that Singh, on July 11, 2012, in the County of Berbice, caused grievous bodily harm to Harlon Rose with intent to harm, maim, disfigure or disable him.

State Counsel Stacy Goodings, prosecuting, had led the evidence of four witnesses who had each given sworn testimony about the events which led to the incident and Rose receiving the injuries at Victoria Street, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice.

On the evening of July 9, 2012, Rose was a 15-year-old student at Canje Secondary School, going on to becoming 16. He had ridden his bicycle to Victoria Street in his home village of Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, to visit Deon Jackman, called ‘Yankee’, a hire car driver, as he was expected to travel to Barbados two days later.
Jackman was not at home, but Rose saw the man’s wife, Rosetta, along with her sister Wendy, and their cousin Sarah, gaffing in the street and he joined them. While conversing with the women, he observed Singh, whom he knew as Putoo, and who lived next door to Wendy Cort, his mother’s friend.

CHALLENGE TO FIGHT
Putoo was cursing and beating his parents, but Rose did not pay much attention until Putoo suddenly ran out of his yard with a golf club in his hand and questioned whether Rose wanted to fight.

The schoolboy had refused to fight, and had explained that his reason for being in the area was to meet Yankee. Singh was overheard saying, “Wait! I coming back.”

Shortly afterwards, Rose felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Singh with an upraised green bottle. Rose barred with his left hand, as he had believed that Singh had intended to strike him, but instead, he felt a liquid thrown on the back of his head rundown his neck to his back and stomach area and along his left side.
He screamed to the women, standing nearby. “It burning! It burning! Putoo throw acid on me.” Hurriedly, he pulled off his vest and dived into a nearby trench, before being pulled out by Wendy Cort.

He was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he was admitted and remained a patient for almost a month.

In his defence, Singh claimed he had approached the virtual complainant with a hockey stick after he heard a noise coming from his yard. He had run downstairs and had seen the victim in his yard. According to him, the person was armed with a bottle, the contents of which were thrown on him, causing him to be burnt on his shoulder. As a result, they fought, but he was unable as to how the victim in this case was burnt.
Singh said he failed to make a report at the police station, as a “set of people” had gathered in front of his house. Later the next day, police had visited his home, from where they had arrested him and taken him to Central Police Station.

Subsequently, he was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he was treated by medical personnel before being returned into police custody, where charges were instituted.

A NUISANCE
In her report on the prisoner’s background, Senior Probation Officer Egla Babb noted that residents of various areas where the convict lived had revealed that they were afraid of him because he regularly traversed the streets and used expletives, and expressed in vulgar and obscene language his intentions to disrespect and dishonour females in the community.

Consequently, he instilled fear in some residents, especially parents with female children, as whenever he behaves in this manner, they would keep their children indoors.

Moreover, some residents were happy that the man had been removed from the community, and were fearful of his return, as he might again disturb their peace.

On the other hand, some members of the public claimed that the accused was a good person. His parents, sibling, and spouse indicated that he was not of nefarious character. However, it is alleged that he was verbally and physically abusive to his parents.