JUSTICE Simone Morris-Ramlall, on Wednesday, sentenced Asif Hamid to 15 years in prison for the brutal murder of an elderly cattle ranger in August 2015.
Two weeks ago, before beginning his case at Berbice High Court, Hamid had chosen to plead guilty to the lesser manslaughter count. The case was adjourned until Wednesday for a sentencing hearing. Henry Lallman, a 76-year-old remigrant and philanthropist, had gone to Hamid Lot 35 Kington, Corriverton’s home to raise money he owed when he was attracted to the yard and killed. In a witness impact statement, Brianna Lallman said her family had gathered in the United States of America to wait for the grandfather to arrive for his annual summer visit. “It never came, instead it was missing for three days…. And when we got to see him again, there was a towel over his face because of his rotting body…. That’s the last image we have…, ”he said.

Addressing the court via Zoom, Brianna pointed out that her grandfather had trusted the accused as his friend, and the latter should have sought an alternative to repaying the money, rather than killing it. “I have mixed emotions. There is nothing that will bring our grandfather back. But I’m glad he (the accused) admitted to the crime, ”he added.
Probation Officer Felicia Gordon reported that the accused, whose parents had died, had good literacy and numeracy skills after attending Skeldon Line Trail High School where she secured seven passes in the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Education examinations. He subsequently attended the Islamic Institute of Guyana where he was a dormitory student for two years. According to Gordon, Hamid’s family, in expressing shock at his actions, described him as a pleasant and reserved person, who was a habitual gambler.
She also said that the accused had been traumatized, and that she was sorry for what had transpired.
Meanwhile, the defense lawyer, Senior Counsel Mursalene Bacchus, made legal submissions in which he suggested sentencing ranges. However, State Counsel Tuanna Harding argued that the sentencing judge determines the sentencing. He submitted that the accused exploited an elderly man, “a philanthropist, who shared a bond of trust with the accused.”
“The accused had a gambling problem that led to the murder … He was attracted to the yard and killed,” said Harding. He added: “It was a breach of trust. Attack of the vulnerable … The deceased did not fight back. The sentence should be deterring those who prey on vulnerable people and have the bad habit of gambling. ”Justice Morris-Ramlall subsequently noted that, given the nature and seriousness of the offense, the deceased had trusted and commended the accused.
“He agreed to go alone to the accused’s premises because he trusted him, but that trust was betrayed when the accused took his life,” he said. In response to defense counsel’s submission on the sentencing guidelines for non-weapons offenses, the judge said, “The hand is as effective as any other weapon … It is effective in fulfilling the purpose.” The judge also noted , that the accused did not place any value on Lallman’s life or dignity, as he killed him and placed him in a shallow grave, while Justice Morris-Ramlall began the sentence at 30 years, and fined 10 years to the lesser count of manslaughter, and another 5 years for time spent in prison.There was no other mitigating factor, so the accused was sentenced to 15 years in prison.