‘Pastry Man’ sentenced to life for killing 19-Y-O peacemaker

(Jailed: Anthony Jones, Killed: Nyron Vyphius)

41-year-old Anthony Jones, called ‘Pastry Man’, was on Monday, sentenced to life imprisonment for unlawfully killing a 19-year-old man.

The custodial sentence was handed down by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court.

Initially indicted for the October 13, 2018, murder of Nyron Vyphius which occurred at Circuit Ville, Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Jones opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The confessed killer was represented by Senior Counsel Stanley Moore, while the case for the Prosecution was led by Senior State Counsel Lisa Cave.

Reports are that on the day in question, Jones and his reputed wife were quarrelling, and he was about to hit her when Vyphius intervened and stopped him. As a result, an argument ensued between Jones and Vyphius, who was 19 years of age at the time. Jones whipped out a knife and fatally stabbed the teen.

During a sentencing hearing on Monday, the dead man’s sister, Cassie Vyphius described her brother’s death as a devastating occurrence that has left their family in deep sorrow. The woman said that her brother had his whole future ahead of him, but it was painfully snatched away.

Jones in his address to the court begged the now dead man’s family for forgiveness.

He said, “I am very much sorry for the incident that occurred. My actions were not intended and I am asking the family members [of Vyphius] to forgive me. I am asking them to find it in their hearts to please forgive me. I have already asked my Lord above for forgiveness. I am asking for leniency [Justice Kissoon].”

In the end, Justice Kissoon sentenced him to life with eligibility for parole set at 20 years. In handing down the sentence, the Judge pointed to the serious nature of the offence. “[Nyron Vyphius] was a peacemaker and you inflicted that injury to his heart killing him,” the Judge told Jones.