Region 1 men remanded in separate criminal matters

Two men from Region One (Barima- Waini) were remanded to prison last week in unrelated criminal cases: one for murder and the other for drug trafficking, following separate court appearances.
In the first matter, 20-year-old Steve Williams, known as ‘Short Man,’ of Khan Hill, Mabaruma, appeared before the Bartica Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to answer to a murder charge.
Williams is accused of killing Dexter France, also known as ‘Chiney,’ during an altercation on May 11, 2025 at a gold mining camp in the Wrong Turn Backdam, Puruni River, Region Seven.
The court heard that the two men, who were co-workers, were involved in a heated argument when Williams allegedly armed himself with a cutlass and dealt France a fatal chop to the chest.
Williams was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded until July 10, 2025.
France’s identity was confirmed by his brother, after police initially appealed to the public for help in identifying the body.
A post-mortem conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh later confirmed that France died from a chop wound to the chest.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, 39-year-old driver, Anthony Dalgetty, of Garrison Hill, Matthews Ridge was also remanded after being charged with drug-related offences.
Dalgetty was arrested on May 13, 2025, at Main Road, Eyelash Backdam, where police reportedly found narcotics in his possession.
He appeared virtually before the Matthews Ridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday, and pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of narcotics and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
He was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court on June 10, 2025.
Both matters are being actively investigated as the courts continue to address serious crimes emerging from Guyana’s hinterland regions.