AFTER being remanded to prison for almost seven years, murder accused Narvin Sugrim Andrews was given a 12- year sentence by Justice Sandil Kissoon, after he ‘threw in the towel’ and pleaded guilty to a lesser count of manslaughter.
He was initially indicted for murder.

Sugrim Andrews called ‘Pumpkin’, had been the longest-serving remanded prisoner at the New Amsterdam penitentiary, and had previously made several appearances before various judges in an effort to have his case heard.

However, Justice Kissoon accepted his plea and sentenced him to 12 years, but instructed the director of prisons to deduct the time the prisoner had already spent on remand.
Further, the judge noted that the prisoner did not waste the court’s time. He had accepted the charge and the death of the deceased had resulted from a single stab.

The state’s facts revealed that on March 27, 2011 at  Lot 194 Rahaman Street, Number 78 Village, Corentyne, the accused entered his elderly neighbour’s yard, where an argument ensued about money.

As a result, Andrews dealt Hilton Ward, a pensioner, a stab wound, which resulted in him being hospitalised.
Twelve days later, Ward succumbed to his injuries.

A post-mortem report revealed that death was due to acute peritonitis.
Meanwhile Defence Counsel Sasha Roberts brought to the court’s attention that her client had no previous antecedents and that he had chosen to accept the responsibilities for his action.