Security guards to face judge, jury over death of homeless man

Nearly five years after the battered body of a homeless man was discovered in the tray of a truck at Kaieteur News newspaper’s compound, two security guards accused of his murder have been committed to stand trial in the High Court. Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Thursday, ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against 49-year-old Yan Licorish and 39-year-old Tony Waldron during proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The men, both security personnel formerly attached to the Kaieteur News, were committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the High Court for the murder of 58-year-old Mohabir Singh, known as “Emile.” Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat represented Licorish and Waldron. The two accused were first hauled before the court in March 2021, days after Singh’s body was discovered at the newspaper’s Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown premises.

At their initial appearance before then Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, the men were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that between March 15 and March 16, 2021, they murdered Singh. They were remanded to prison. Reports at the time indicated that around 08:30h on March 16, 2021, an employee of the newspaper went to remove a truck from under a shed at the Saffon Street, Charlestown location when he observed Singh’s lifeless body lying in the tray of the vehicle. The matter was reported to the police, who visited the scene and observed what appeared to be a small cut to Singh’s wrist and a wound to the back of his head. As investigations progressed, the two security guards on duty were arrested and later charged. A post-mortem examination conducted by pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, determined that Singh died as a result of a brain haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the head. The matter proceeded by way of paper committal before Senior Magistrate Daly. Singh, who had reportedly been homeless for approximately 25 years, was known in the area as “Emile.” Relatives had previously disclosed that he was once a successful goldsmith who owned a business in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. However, they said he developed a drug addiction in his 30s, which led to the loss of his business and eventual homelessness. Family members had also shared that Singh had been placed in rehabilitation programmes on two occasions and had even written Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations while incarcerated at one point, earning distinctions. Despite those efforts, he struggled to overcome drug addiction. With their committal to stand trial, Licorish and Waldron will now face a judge and jury in the High Court. They remain on remand.