Three men were sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the murder of Chandarie Budhoo, which occurred during a 2020 robbery.
Narvindra Chillu, 25, Kumar Bhagwandin, 29, and Dhannyram Ramdhanny, 27, all of Clifton Settlement, Corentyne Berbice, appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon.
The men were remanded to prison for the death of 82-year-old Chandarie, who was killed at her home in Lot 83 Tain Settlement, Corentyne Berbice, during a robbery that took place between June 16 and 17, 2020.
Attorney-at-Law Cicela Corbin represented the state. Attorneys Vinay Punwa and Chandra Sohan represented Chillu, and Attorney Kevin Morgan represented Ramdhanny and Bhagwandin.
During the December 2025 trial, the men pleaded not guilty, but a 12-member jury found them guilty of the offense.
Before sentencing on Friday, Probation Officer Dion Douglas presented a probation report. She said Dhannyram left secondary school in form two. He claimed he was forced to leave school due to his parents’ financial constraints and began working as a construction worker at age 15.
Douglas stated that Dhannyram expressed deep emotional distress over his inability to fulfill his paternal duties during his three years and eleven months of incarceration.
The probation officer said Dhannyram also expressed profound regret at being unable to attend his mother’s funeral while in prison.
Douglas said Dhannyram maintained his innocence regarding Budhoo’s death. She said he claimed he assisted Budhoo, a stroke survivor, with weeding her yard and electrical repairs.
According to Douglas, community members described Dhannyram as a man who engaged in frequent conflicts. He was involved in a theft incident. It was reported that in July 2022, Dhannyram was charged with unlawful wounding and ordered to pay $50,000 in compensation.
Probation Officer Ashley Fable read the probation report for Chillu, revealing that Chillu left secondary school in the third form. Subsequently, he became a cattle farmer and did car washing.
Fable said community members reported that Chillu is cooperative but has been associated with individuals who conflict with the law.
Probation Officer Ornette Hinds stated that Bhagwandin left school in the first form and began working as a laborer.
All three probation officers said they were told by Budhoo’s family to ask the court to ensure a hefty fine is given to the accused men.
After the probation reports for the three accused were presented, Justice Kissoon asserted that the laws of Guyana state that any person who commits such a crime shall be sentenced to life imprisonment.
While outlining a summary of the aggravating factors arising from Budhoo’s murder, Justice Kissoon said there was a degree of planning. He said the three men who entered Budhoo’s premises planned to cut out her tongue and tie her up.
While handing down the sentence, Justice Kissoon told the three accused men that members of society must be able to dwell in their homes and communities without fear.
The judge told the able-bodied men who thought it fit to embrace the heinous, atrocious, and criminal enterprise to rob the 8-year-old, who could have been their grandmother.
Justice Kissoon told the three accused men that their cruelty and mercilessness brought about a painful, agonizing death, and that no mitigating circumstances would urge the court to be merciful to them.
Justice Kissoon sentenced each of the men to life in prison, and they will serve 35 years before being considered eligible for parole.
Justice Kissoon stated that upon completion of the sentence, the three men shall be given credit for the time spent on remand and that the date of the commencement of the sentence shall be disregarded.
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