Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 18, 2015 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News
Magistrate Judy Latchman, sentenced a 28-year-old father of one, to two years imprisonment yesterday after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
Ravin Singh, of 46 North East Grove, East Bank Demerara, was convicted yesterday at the conclusion of his trial.
On July 14, 2014 at Avenue of the Republic, Singh drove motor lorry GNN 8470 along with trailer TPP 2337 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Rajmattie Ram of Triumph, East Coast Demerara.
During the summing up of the evidence, the Magistrate told the defendant that she believed he drove in a dangerous manner on the day in question. She stated that she also believed that if he was paying keen attention, he would have seen the woman trying to complete her crossing.
The Magistrate said that the defendant was inattentive on the roadway and fell below the competence of a careful driver.
Before handing down her sentencing, Magistrate Judy Latchman took into consideration all mitigating factors. She also took into consideration the fact that the defendant assisted with taking the elderly woman to the hospital and was fully co-operative with the police during their investigation.
However, the Magistrate said that based on the prevalence of the offence and the need to promote road safety she will impose the prison term on the defendant.
During the trial, Police Prosecutor, Vishnu Hunte, called several witnesses to testify. Among them were Ram’s grandson and daughter.
A post mortem report was tendered to the court. It revealed that the woman died of multiple injuries. There were abrasions, severe blunt trauma and lacerations.
Singh’s Attorney, Debra Kumar, had claimed that there is an eyewitness who saw that the woman was struck by a bus and not the truck. But the Magistrate asserted that she believed beyond reasonable doubt that it was Singh’s lorry that hit the elderly woman.
After hearing the verdict, Singh’s Attorney pleaded with the Magistrate to be lenient with her client. She stated that Singh has an unblemished criminal record and a minor.
The Attorney noted that throughout the trial her client had been maintaining his innocence. Kumar added that since the court has found her client guilty, there is nothing else the defence can do, but to comply.
Singh first appeared in court on September 2, 2014 and was not required to plead to the charge. He was released on $1M bail.
According to reports, Ram, a pedestrian, was struck down by a motor lorry at the junction with Robb Street, around 14:30hrs on that day.
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 was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
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