FORMER Guyana Beverage Inc. driver, Ravin Singh, 27, of Lot 46 North East Grove, East Bank Demerara, was yesterday sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by City Magistrate Judy Latchman on a causing death by dangerous driving charge.He was found guilty after a trial on the charge which alleged that on July 14, 2014 at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown he drove motor vehicle GNN 3876 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Rajmattie Ram.
Singh made his first court appearance before City Magistrate Judy Latchman on September 1, 2014 and was placed on $1 million bail after denying the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
The matter was prosecuted by Police Inspector Vishnu Hunt from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The defence was led by Attorney-at-Law Debra Kumar.
During the trial, a number of witnesses had been called to testify, including police witnesses and civilians.
During her ruling, Magistrate Latchman took into consideration the mitigating factors that Singh was the sole breadwinner of his family, a point which was raised by the defence counsel. However, before handing down the jail term, the magistrate also considered the prevalence of road fatalities.
According to reports, Ram, a pedestrian, was struck down by a motor lorry at the Robb Street junction, around 14:30 hrs on July 14, 2014. At the time of the accident, the elderly woman was holding onto her grandson’s hand as they attempted to cross to the other side of the busy roadway.
She reportedly sustained severe head and bodily injuries when she was dragged a short distance before the truck came to a halt.
The 73-year-old woman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead on arrival.