Six years in jail for attempted murder convict

Demerara High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds, on Friday, sentenced a 24-year-old man convicted of attempted murder to six years’ imprisonment. Last month, Anthony Persaud appeared at the Demerara High Court and pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that he wounded Navindra Budhu on March 22, 2016, in Demerara.

The men were not known to each other prior to the incident. While Budhu was walking along the University of Guyana (UG) Access Road, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown on the day in question, Persaud rode up beside him on a bicycle and pushed his hand into Budhu’s pocket.

As such, Budhu cuffed him in the face. This resulted in Persaud losing two of his teeth. Bleeding profusely, Persaud whipped out a pair of scissors from his pants waist and stabbed Budhu repeatedly to his face and other parts of his body. Budhu was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public-spirited citizens.

As for Persaud, he was apprehended at the scene. Budhu’s medical report revealed that he was stabbed six times resulting in him having to undergo surgery on his abdomen and one of his legs.

Persaud’s lawyer, Teriq Mohammed said that his client was not trying to rob Budhu. In fact, Persaud told the court that he “accidentally” rode into him. After considering the aggravating and mitigating factors,  Judge sentenced Persaud to six years in jail. State Counsel Simran Gajraj appeared for the prosecution.