Man jailed for 12 years over brutal murder of pensioner

Nearly seven years after 71-year-old Jerry Rambeer was viciously beaten and left for dead, his family has finally received justice. The man responsible for his murder, 30-year-old Joseph Rameshwr, was sentenced to 12 years in prison when he appeared before Justice Damone Younge at the Georgetown High Court on Tuesday.
The accused had initially been charged with the capital offense of murder after he was arrested in 2018 for fatally attacking Rambeer at Back Street, Good Intent, West Bank Demerara. The elderly man was found unconscious on July 1, 2018, with severe head injuries and succumbed two days later while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

During the sentencing hearing, the court was told that the fatal attack stemmed from an altercation at a wedding house in La Retraite. The accused, who was 23 at the time, struck the pensioner in the head with a rolling pin, inflicting a wound so severe that he never regained consciousness. Instead of rendering assistance, the accused fled the scene and was later apprehended in a police operation at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Throughout the proceedings, the victim’s family remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice, questioning why only one of the attackers was charged, despite multiple individuals being identified in connection with the crime. Speaking in court, the victim’s brother reflected on his loss, describing him as a “good chap” who did not deserve such a cruel fate.
The case was prosecuted by State Counsel Alvaro Mario Ramattar, Muntaz Ali, and Darin Chan, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). During his submissions, Ramattar underscored the vulnerability of the victim, emphasizing that Rambeer was asleep when the accused launched the fatal attack. He further argued that the accused made no effort to help the injured pensioner and instead attempted to evade justice. While acknowledging that alcohol played a role in the events of that night, Ramattar urged the court to hand down a sentence that would send a strong message that such violent acts would not be tolerated.

Defense attorney, Carlton Amsterdam, representing the accused, argued that his client had taken responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty, thus not wasting the court’s time. He also pointed to a probation report that described the accused as a school dropout who had faced financial struggles from an early age. The report indicated that he had completed an anger management course while in prison and had expressed a desire to apologize to the victim’s family. Amsterdam asked the court to consider a sentence that, while just, would also allow the accused a chance at rehabilitation.
Justice Younge, in delivering her ruling, took into account both the aggravating and mitigating factors. She noted that the victim was elderly and defenseless at the time of the attack, that a weapon was used, and that there was an attempt to destroy evidence. However, she also considered the accused’s remorse, good behavior while incarcerated, and the fact that he had no prior convictions.
The judge started with a base sentence of 20 years but deducted time based on the mitigating factors, ultimately sentencing the accused to 12 years in prison, less time already served on remand.
As the sentence was handed down, members of the victim’s family expressed mixed emotions—relief that justice had finally been served but sorrow that nothing could bring back their beloved Jerry Rambeer.