Butcher appeals 15-year jail term for cattle farmer’s murder
Asif Hamid, the Corriverton, Berbice butcher, who was imprisoned for 15 years for killing an elderly cattle farmer whose burnt remains were found at the back of this house, is appealing his “severe” and “harsh” sentence.
He has filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal outlining the grounds on which he is seeking to set aside the custodial sentence.
Dead: Henry Lalmam
On January 27, 2021, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall presiding at the Berbice High Court imposed the custodial sentence after Hamid, 27, who was initially indicted for murder, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
In August 2015, Hamid unlawfully killed 76-year-old Henry Lalmam of Number 56 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
Reports in 2015 were that Hamid had been taking animals from the cattle farmer on a credit arrangement just as his father had done.
According to reports, Police found evidence that suggest that Lalmam had spoken to Hamid’s father about an outstanding bill, and the elder Hamid had expressed alarm since he did not send his son on such an arrangement.
Lalmam subsequently made contact with the younger Hamid to enquire about the outstanding money and was invited to his home. It was there that Hamid killed the cattle farmer. Worried about the cattle farmer’s whereabouts, his family reported him missing. Close relatives of Hamid had informed the Police about the debt issue.
Jailed: Asif Hamid
When questioned at the time, the younger Hamid had said he had not seen Lalmam. Investigators searching the yard for evidence discovered a recently-dug-up area behind the house. It was later found to contain the remains of the cattle farmer. The younger Hamid later confessed to killing his father’s friend to avoid having to pay his debts.
A probation report revealed that Hamid was a habitual gambler. The prosecutor had told the court that he killed the man because of his gambling habit and greed. The prosecutor said that the elderly cattle farmer trusted Hamid, and instead, he lured him into his yard and killed him. (G1)
