Two security officers were remanded to prison on Friday in connection with the murder of Leon Alexander Bartrum, who died days after sustaining injuries in a late-night altercation at the intersection of Croal and Longden Streets, Georgetown.
Kennard Persaud—also known as “Troy” and “Ratie”—a 36-year-old resident of the Water Street, Tiger Bay Squatting Area, Georgetown, and Rickey Andrews, 32, of Lot 152 Lane Avenue, West Front Road, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The men were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Croal and Longden Streets in Georgetown, they murdered Bartrum.
In court, Andrews appeared in person, while Persaud joined virtually. Neither was represented by an attorney. According to the prosecution, the matter initially began as an attempted murder charge. However, following the death of Bartrum on April 25, the charge was withdrawn and substituted with murder.
The post-mortem results are still outstanding, and the court is awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The prosecution told the court that on the night in question, around 23:00h, Persaud and Andrews, who are known to be friends with Bartrum, were standing on the corner of Croal and Longden Streets when Bartrum approached.
An altercation ensued, during which Persaud reportedly drew a cutlass from his electric bike and dealt Bartrum several chops to his head and body. Bartrum, who was also armed with a cutlass, retaliated and wounded Persaud.
The prosecution further stated that Andrews then armed himself with a piece of wood and struck Bartrum several times about the body. Following the attack, Bartrum managed to walk to the corner of Charlotte Street and Avenue of the Republic, where he collapsed. He was picked up by an ambulance and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was admitted in serious condition.
Persaud was later contacted by police, informed of the allegation, and taken into custody. He was initially charged with attempted murder. After Bartrum’s death on April 25, the investigation escalated, and police arrested Andrews. During video and audio interviews, the prosecution said, both Persaud and Andrews admitted to the acts for which they are now charged.
In court, however, both men pleaded their innocence.
Andrews, who appeared emotional, broke down in tears during the proceedings. “Me ain’t lash nobody, I swear. I tried to stop it and I end up in this situation. I was there and I can talk about what happened from start to end,” he told the court as he pleaded for mercy.
Persaud also spoke, taking full responsibility for the attack and insisting that Andrews had nothing to do with it. “He didn’t lash anybody. He didn’t do anything,” he said, before turning to the Magistrate and declaring, “Andrews is innocent. I was the one who did everything.”
Despite their statements, Magistrate Azore remanded both men to prison. As the matter concluded, Andrews again tried to explain his version of events, reiterating that he had only tried to intervene in the altercation and did not intend to hurt anyone.
The men have been remanded until June 13, 2025.
