HIGH Court Judge, Jo-Ann Barlow, on Wednesday, sentenced Bhola Bhagwandin called “Buddy”, to two years, six months in prison for the brutal beating of a woman in 2019.

In September, Bhagwandin was on trial in the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court for two counts of rape and one assault charge.

The particulars of the rape charges stated that on September 2, 2019, in the County of Demerara, he allegedly engaged in sexual penetration with the woman.

It was further alleged that on the same date and at the same location, he assaulted the victim thereby causing her actual bodily harm.

The jury, after deliberating for two hours, returned with a unanimous not guilty verdicts on the rape charges. However, he was found guilty on the assault charge.

During his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Bhagwandin apologised for his actions and begged the court for a second chance to turn his life around for his two children.

The judge, in sentencing him, said she considered the high number of domestic violence cases in Guyana, and has placed weight on the fact that during the commission of the crime, the victim had a restraining order against Bhagwandin.

The state was represented by prosecutor, Sarah Martin, while Bhagwandin was represented by attorney-at-law, Teriq Mohammed.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Bhagwandin and the victim are known to each other. At the time of the offence, Bhagwandin was on a court bond and was ordered to keep away from the victim.

On the day in question, Bhagwandin went to the victim’s home and attacked her. The woman was reportedly cuffed and kicked about her body by Bhagwandin, who also attacked her with a piece of wood.

The matter was reported to the police and Bhagwandin was later arrested and charged.