GEORGE Paton, called ‘Tallman’, was, on Tuesday, sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for his role in the murder of Bourda Market vendor, Troy Ramalho, who was shot dead during a robbery three years ago.

Paton, formerly of ‘BB’ Eccles, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court for a sentencing hearing.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson, while the State was represented by prosecutor Caressa Henry.

Last month, Paton was arraigned for the capital offence of murder but he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The 37-year-old admitted that, on August 15, 2018, at Robb Street, Bourda, he unlawfully killed Ramalho.

During the sentencing hearing, on Tuesday, a probation report was read in court by the relevant statutory officer who said the confessed killer told him that he was deeply remorseful for his actions and wished to apologise to the victim’s family.

Paton also told the probation officer that he had been receiving death threats while in prison and was fearful for his life. The probation officer said that the prison officials were aware of the threats and were doing their best to keep Paton safe.

Meanwhile, the deceased victim’s wife, Precious Ramalho, broke down in tears as she read her impact statement in court, detailing how the criminal actions of the accused had impacted her life.

She explained that her husband was a kindhearted man, who was the breadwinner of the family.

The grieving widow begged the court for justice so that her family could finally move on.

“All I want is justice,” Precious said as she explained to the court that her husband was killed exactly one week before his 46th birth anniversary.

“His death is what he get for his birthday,” the woman said.

Paton, during his address, expressed his remorse but maintained that he was not the person who killed Ramalho.

“I did not kill anyone. The life that was lost was not by my hands,” he said.

The prosecutor asked the court to send a strong message to deter the accused man and other like-minded potential offenders from contemplating similar crimes.

The judge, during her sentencing remarks, said that she considered the seriousness of the offence, the impact on the deceased man’s family, among other factors.

She also said that while Paton expressed his remorse, he was not convinced that he was responsible for the death of the victim, although he admitted to being the getaway driver.

In the end, the judge sentenced Paton to 12 years and ordered prison authorities to deduct the time he had already spent on remand.

According to reports, Ramalho, of North Road, Lacytown, Georgetown, was shot around 23:00 hours on the day in question, after “he put up a fight” during the course of a robbery.

The 45-year-old vendor, who was well known for selling cheese and eggs in front of a store on Robb Street, in close proximity to Bourda Street, was plying his trade when the three bandits, one armed with a gun, ambushed him.

Days later, police arrested Paton, and he confessed to being the getaway driver.