Janitor jailed for causing death by dangerous driving

A Bourda janitor was on Friday afternoon slapped with a four-year jail term and ordered to pay a fine of ,000, for the 2015 New Year’s Day death of an elderly man caused by dangerous driving. The guilty verdict was handed down by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Roger Bess, 36, was initially hauled before the court and charged with the offence which alleged that on January 1, 2015, at Cemetery Road, West La Penitence, Georgetown, he drove his motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of George Barker.

The father of two was released on bail when Defence Attorney Khemraj Ramjattan successfully made an application for bail.

Police’s case states Bess was heading South along Cemetery Road on New Year’s morning when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle, hitting pedestrians and dismantling several stalls alongside the road.

A number of persons were pitched into a nearby trench during the accident and were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where the Barker died.

The accused reportedly fled the scene but was later arrested and charged. Legal representative for the accused had told the court that the vehicle’s two front tires sustained punctures as he was going over a speed bump, causing his client to lose control of the motor car.

The Magistrate in summing up her case declared that based on evidence submitted the court found that the accused’s driving fell way below that of a competent driver, and the victim’s injuries were consistent with those received from the accident, directly resulting in his death. A second charge of wanton driving was dismissed against Bess due to insufficient evidence.Bess maintained a solemn expression while the sentencing was dispensed; being cuffed shortly after and escorted out of the courtroom and later taken to the Camp Street Prison.