Former Eccles landfill worker gets 11½ years for attempting to murder co-worker

Ryan Lowe, who carried out a brutal attack on a co-worker at the Eccles landfill site in 2016 was sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder.
The sentence was delivered by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court on Monday.
The case dates back to November 23, 2016, when Lowe, 34, viciously assaulted Leroy Cummings, leaving him with life-altering injuries. Reports stated that the two men were working at the Eccles landfill site when the incident occurred.
According to police accounts, Cummings was asleep at the worksite when Lowe, who had been drinking with others nearby, approached and began hitting him. The confrontation escalated after Cummings woke up, and Lowe accused him of stealing personal items.
Lowe then used a weapon, reportedly a knife, to inflict multiple stab wounds on Cummings before fleeing the scene.
The attack left Cummings severely injured, and one of the stab wounds resulted in the amputation of his left arm. Following the incident, Lowe managed to evade authorities for three years, remaining on the run until his arrest in late 2019.
He was charged with attempted murder and remanded to prison after appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown. During the proceedings, it was revealed that the police were still awaiting key evidence, including a medical report before the case could progress.
Cummings’ injury and the emotional and physical toll it has taken on him were highlighted in court during the sentencing. Justice Kissoon emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that Lowe’s actions were both premeditated and brutal. The court acknowledged the devastating impact the attack had had on the victim’s life, including his loss of livelihood and ability to function independently.
Justice Kissoon handed down the sentence, stating that the court’s decision was intended to reflect the gravity of the offence and serve as a deterrent to others.