IN what was described as a ‘cruel fashion of death’ by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Sherwin Roberts called ‘Big head’ was ‘handed’ a life sentence after he confessed to killing his 18-month-old niece over a pair of earrings in 2017.

Roberts, formerly of B’ Field, Sophia, on Tuesday, October 01, 2019, opted to plead to the murder of his niece when his matter came up before the new sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

With a big smile, Roberts admitted that September 1, 2017, at Lot 98 North Sophia, Georgetown, he murdered Ronasha Pilgrim.

Roberts was represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay, who told the court that his client was 18 years old and showed remorse.

In one of his statements Roberts told the police “I sorry for what I do. I did not mean to do it. It was the devil in me.”

State Prosecutor Sarah Martin told the court that, based on her records, Roberts is 22 years old. She asked the Judge to consider that Roberts was the toddler’s uncle, the fact that he broke into the home along with the nature and gravity of the charge.
According to reports, on the day in question, the toddler along with her brothers, aged 10 and 12 years, was left in the house by her father–a security guard–while he went to work. It is alleged that the accused, at about 03:30 hours the said day, broke a window and gained entry into the house where he tried to relieve the child of her earrings.

But in trying to do so, the child started to scream and the man tossed her through a window into the swamped yard. He then hurried away from the area, but not before placing a pile of wood on top of the child, who was submerged in 18 inches of water and slush. When the child was discovered by her father shortly after, she was in a motionless state and was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Roberts was arrested at his home shortly after the incident. He reportedly confessed to the police at the Prashad Nagar Police Station and explained to ranks that he was “high on weed.”

In court, Roberts, who was still smiling caused the Judge to question him for his reason for killing his niece. The convict explained that he was angry with himself and decided to take it out on his niece.

Justice Barlow imposed the life sentence, with the possibility of parole after he serves 20 years. He was also ordered to attended anger management classes along with educational classes so that he can be a reformed person.