Man remanded for killing neighbour who refused to purchase cigarettes from him

A 26-year-old labourer who allegedly murdered his neighbour for not purchasing cigarettes from him, was on Wednesday charged with murder. Devon Boucher called ‘Kingman’ appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on February 25, 2021, at Chateau Margot Squatting Dam, East Coast Demerara, he murdered 30-year-old Clifton Bhagwandat, a horse cart operator. He was remanded to prison for the offense.

It was reported that the men were neighbours but were not on speaking terms. On the day in question, at about 17:20hrs Bhagwandat went to Boucher to purchase a pack of cigarettes from him but his money was not enough.

Bhagwandat then collected his money from Boucher and said he was going to a Chinese shop to buy his cigarette.  It was reported that Boucher ran into his home, picked up a knife, and started to stab Bhagwandat about his body. The injured man began to run but fell on the road.

He was then picked up by public-spirited persons and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.  The matter was reported to Beterverwagting Police Station and following an investigation, Boucher was arrested and charged with the offense.