GOPAUL Sewsankar, 24, called “Romel” of Lot 85 Yakusari North, Black Bush Polder, who confessed to fatally stabbing his younger brother on March, 19, 2017, was, on Wednesday, sentenced to nine years, two months’ imprisonment by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Berbice Assizes.
Last week, the now convicted Sewsankar had confessed to the lesser count of manslaughter, which resulted in the death of his 18-year-old brother, Vishal Sahora.
State Prosecutrix, Tuanna Hardy, had related that Sewsankar had wanted to borrow Vishal’s motorcycle but the owner refused and a fight ensued, during which Sahora was fatally wounded.

Defence Attorney, Surihya Sabsook, told the court that the offender is in a common-law relationship and fathers a four-year-old daughter.
Sabsook noted that her client has expressed remorse and pleaded for mercy and leniency.
In his remark, Sewsankar pleaded with the court for forgiveness while noting that the incident was never intended but happened by a mistake.
“Was a scramble and we fall on the ground and he got bore,” the visibly emotional man said.
The father of the deceased, who is also the father of the convict, also pleaded with the judge to extend mercy to his son.

“I beg for mercy for him. That is my son, pointing to the image on the Zoom call and I beg for him. I forgive him,” the visible shaken man emphasised.
In handing down her sentence, the judge took into consideration that Sewsankar is a young offender and noted that there is a greater possibility for him to be rehabilitated. The judge started the sentence ceiling at 18 years, but deducted a third, which is six years for plea of guilt, two years, 11 months for time served as a remanded prisoner and the remaining nine years, two months as the term of imprisonment.