Man jailed 30 years for murder of taxi driver

Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh has sentenced 38-year-old welder Kenty Bacchus to 30 years’ imprisonment for the murder of taxi driver Kenrick Trim Sr, after finding that while the accused expressed remorse and entered a guilty plea, the brutality of the offence, his criminal past, and the devastating impact on the victim’s family warranted a lengthy custodial sentence.
In delivering the sentence for Bacchus, Justice Singh adopted a starting point of 40 years’ imprisonment for the offence of murder. From that figure, the court deducted one-third (13 years and 4 months) of the time for Bacchus’ guilty plea, three more years for expressions of remorse, and a further three years arising from plea negotiations.
However, the court added four years as an aggravating factor, citing the loss of a hard-working, family-orientated breadwinner and the circumstances under which the offence was committed. The resulting sentence imposed was 30 years’ imprisonment, with time already spent on remand since July 7, 2021, to be deducted, leaving 26 years.
Bacchus was charged along with Seyon James, also known as “Lil Alfey”, in relation to the killing.
Trim, 52, was attacked while working as a taxi driver. Based on the agreed statement of facts tendered in court, the prosecution outlined that on the morning of June 30, 2021, Bacchus and James entered the taxi driven by Kenrick Trim, bearing registration number HC 5311, near Carmichael Street, Georgetown.
Shortly after joining the vehicle, the two men allegedly overpowered Trim, restraining him by choking him. During the attack, Bacchus reportedly observed as James inflicted several stab wounds on the taxi driver. After the assault, Trim’s body was taken from the vehicle and left concealed in bushes at Ogle, on the East Coast of Demerara.
Investigators later acted on intelligence information and carried out a search at a specific location, where Bacchus was allegedly found with Trim’s cellular phone in his possession.
In a subsequent video- and audio-recorded interview with police, Bacchus admitted his involvement in the incident. He also identified both himself and his accomplice in CCTV footage that was shown to him by investigators.
Victim impact statements tendered to the court painted a harrowing picture of the aftermath of Trim’s death, detailing the emotional and financial collapse of a once-stable household.
Trim’s eldest son told the court that the day his father was killed is now permanently associated with grief, as it coincided with the birth month of his own child.
He recalled that his father was a strict but present parent who shared daily routines with him, including washing the taxi together before work. The son said his own child will never know his grandfather, and each birthday serves as a painful reminder of the life taken.
Trim’s widow, Omadara Trim, described losing her husband of nearly 30 years and being thrust into the role of sole breadwinner for their family. She told the court that Trim provided for their children and grandchild and that his death forced the family to reassess their survival.
One of the couple’s children was reportedly unable to continue schooling due to financial hardship, while a grandchild previously enrolled in a private school had to be transferred to the public system. Despite the sentence imposed, she said, no punishment could ever fully compensate for the loss of her husband.
Pre-sentence probation from the Guyana Prison Service and welfare reports placed before the court outlined Bacchus’ long history of criminal behaviour, substance abuse, and violence, both in the community and while incarcerated.
Born on April 14, 1987, Bacchus was raised primarily by his mother after his father migrated overseas. He dropped out of school at age 15, admitted to early marijuana use, and later lived in Tobago for eight years, engaging in construction-related work.
Upon returning to Guyana, Bacchus held sporadic employment as a welder and labourer, but investigations revealed that he also sold marijuana within the Plaisance community.
Police records showed multiple prior convictions, including robbery under arms, for which he served two concurrent four-year sentences, and two separate narcotics trafficking convictions in 2020 and 2021.
While incarcerated for the present offence, Bacchus accumulated numerous prison infractions, including possession of cellular phones, assaults on inmates, possession of prohibited items, and an attempted escape, which resulted in punitive sanctions, including non-privileges and restricted diets. Although prison officers noted some improvement in his demeanour and participation in educational programmes, he spent extended periods housed in Solitary Division due to behavioural concerns.
Community members interviewed during the probation investigation described Bacchus as aggressive and frequently involved in conflict, while one of the mothers of his children reported that he seldom provided support.
The court acknowledged Bacchus’ expressions of remorse and his participation in rehabilitation programmes but found that his repeated involvement in violent and unlawful behaviour, coupled with the irreversible harm caused to the Trim family, outweighed mitigating factors.
Justice Singh emphasised that the sentence was necessary to reflect the gravity of the offence, uphold public safety, and hold the offender accountable for the life lost. Bacchus will now serve 26 years’ imprisonment. His accomplice’s case will be heard on Wednesday at the High Court.
The prosecution is being represented by attorney Geneva Wills, assisted by attorneys Christopher Belfield and Simran Gajraj, while Bacchus is represented by Attorney-at-Law Audreanna Stephens and Attorney Glendon.