FOUR years after the gruesome murder of businessman, Seeram Singh, who was ‘gunned-down’ during a robbery, his killer, Curt Thomas, called “Deportee”, was on Wednesday sentenced to 70 years imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after serving 40 years behind bars.

Thomas, formerly of Hyde Park, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, was convicted by a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court last week. Thomas was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lyndon Amsterdam, while the State was represented by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy.

During the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Hardy appealed to the court to let the sentence be a deterrent to Thomas and others who think that they can rob people of their hard earnings. She also asked that the court let the sentence reflect the nature and gravity of the charge.

Trial Judge, Justice Navindra Singh, after considering the background of the case, while placing weight that the crime was premeditated, sentenced Thomas to 70 years imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after serving 40 years behind bars.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that on April 30, 2016, around 21:00 hours, Singh was walking along the roadway at Parika Outfall when he was attacked by an armed man.
Singh was reportedly shot in the back and fell onto the ground, and as he laid there, the gunman discharged two more rounds, hitting him in the head and chest, before relieving him of the two gold chains he was wearing, and making good his escape.

By the time the police arrived on the scene, Singh had already died, but they found a live .32 round, and a bullet casing of a similar calibre, along with his wallet, cell-phone and a few gold rings, which the gunman had apparently missed in his haste to flee the scene.

On May 4, 2016, Thomas was arrested at a Parika betting shop, and when placed on an identification parade, was allegedly identified as the shooter by an eyewitness.
A swab test done on Thomas’ hands reportedly tested positive for gunpowder residue. The police also carried out a search at his home, and found clothing which matched what eyewitnesses said the shooter was wearing.