MADAM Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall have been rostered to sit during the January session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes, which will commence today.

The Criminal Assizes will open with a parade hosted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), during which a sitting judge will inspect the ranks in the company of their fellow judges.

Of the 308 cases listed, 130 are for sexual offences, including rape, carnal knowledge and buggery.

Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence for raping a nine-year-old boy, will go on trial for the alleged sexual abuse of eight other boys between 2011 and 2012.

Sexual activity with a child under 16 years and sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust are among the crimes Ali is accused of committing.

Another well-known case is that of former Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson, who is set to be retried for three counts of rape.

In February 2022, he was freed from a rape charge by a 12-member jury. The matter was heard before Justice Sewnarine-Beharry. He is currently out on bail for the other charges.

Additionally, for the capital offence of murder, hotel proprietor Erwin Bacchus is expected to stand trial for the August 2018 killing of his neighbour, Jason De Florimonte.

Sharnandand Narine, called ‘Anand’ and co-accused Darel Pronton, called ‘Yankee’ are also expected to face trial for the murder of Narine’s ex-wife Babita Sarjou.

Sarjou had left her home to go to the Diwali motorcade on the eve of November 4, 2010, reportedly with Narine, who had called her. She was never seen or heard from again. The woman’s skeletal remains were discovered in Narine’s backyard on May 22, 2016.

After the first case of the coronavirus was detected in March 2020, the Supreme Court of Judicature suspended jury trials and in-person hearings. Jury trials resumed in October 2021, with access to remote hearings.