Remand for Businessman After Alleged Acid Attack on Mistress, Friend
September 16 2025
Keron Mervin Daniels, a 32-year-old businessman of Uitvlugt Pasture, East Bank Essequibo, was on Tuesday remanded to prison in connection with the September 3 acid attack at Middle and East Streets, Georgetown, which left two women injured.
Daniels appeared virtually in court and was charged with two counts of throwing a corrosive fluid with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The first charge relates to cashier Jillicia Leitch, 25, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, who suffered severe burns.
The second allegation relates to 20-year-old Nirmala Sukraj of Good Hope Phase One, East Coast Demerara, who sustained minor injuries.
According to reports, the women were attacked around 15:30 hrs after leaving Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital to purchase food.
A white motorcar pulled up from behind, and a passenger hurled a glass bottle containing a corrosive liquid at them before fleeing.
Leitch suffered burns to her face, stomach, and left hand, and doctors have indicated she will require surgery. She has also been left visually impaired.
Sukraj was treated and discharged the same evening.
During Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors objected to bail, pointing to CCTV footage which they said captured Daniels throwing the corrosive liquid.
They also cited the seriousness of the injuries and the fact that the alleged attack stemmed from a relationship that had ended badly.
Defence attorneys Ronald Bostwick and Ronald Daniels argued that their client had no prior antecedents, is the father of four children aged 15, 10, three, and one, and is not a danger to the public.
They maintained there was no reason to deny him bail, suggesting instead that he lodge his passport and enter into a reasonable recognizance.
The lawyers further contended that the particulars of the offence did not add up, that their client had not been seen committing the act, and that they had not yet reviewed the CCTV footage.
They also alleged that while in custody, Daniels was pressured by investigators to implicate himself under threats that his wife and child would be harmed.
The prosecutor insisted, however, that the CCTV footage showed Daniels driving the getaway car.
The magistrate remanded Daniels to prison until September 17, when the court will reconvene to review the footage.
Police reported that Daniels admitted to investigators he had been involved in a relationship with Leitch, but sought to end it after she disclosed the affair to his wife, leading to escalating tensions.
He subsequently hired the prime suspect—who is already well-known to law enforcement and is believed to have thrown the acid on Leitch—along with another man whose identity remains unknown.
