THE April session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes opened on Tuesday, April 02, 2019 with 259 cases listed for trial.

At present, three Judges are on rotation at the Demerara Assizes, with Justices Navindra Singh and James Bovell-Drakes dealing with murder cases; Justice Brassington Reynolds presides over the Sexual Offences Court.

Gaol delivery was done on Monday by Justice Singh, bringing to an end the January session. Of the case listed, 59, 155 are for sexual offences, including rape.
Listed for trial is Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence for raping a nine-year-old boy.

Ali will go on trial for eight additional counts of sexually abusing eight boys. He is facing multiple indictments for crimes allegedly committed between 2011 and 2012, including sexual activity with a child under 16 years and sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.

Another well-known case is former Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson, who is set to go on trial for engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, while being in a position of trust. He is currently out on bail.

Meanwhile, for the capital offence of murder, Ex-policeman Colin Bailey will go on trial for the murder of his common-law wife, businesswoman Sirmattie Ramnaress. He will be tried jointly with is co-accused, Colin Grant.

Ramnaress was found dead on the morning of August 31, 2013 with a stab wound and injuries to her head and body in the garage of her Diamond home. While petrol had been thrown all over her house, it was the bond at the back of the yard that was set alight and destroyed. The woman’s body was discovered after the fire service had been called about the fire.

Also, businessman Robert Benn will go on trial for the murder of 24-year-old Colin Perreira and the attempted murder of his girlfriend, Gail-Ann Chachon.
Four men are also set to go on trial for the murder of Foulis, East Coast Demerara businessman, Rajendra Singh.

Currently on remand are : Doenauth Katwaru, also known as ‘Pumpkin’; ‘Doodnauth Katwaroo’ or ‘Doodnauth Ketwaru’; Tony Christopher Thomas, also known as ‘Mataran’, ‘Matteron’, ‘Job’ or ‘Fix Up; Michael Lewis called ‘Michael Joseph’, ‘Jet Lee’, ‘J- Ice or ‘Mikey and Adony James called ‘Don.