Harsher sentences needed to stop acid attacks

Aug 19, 2013 News

– legal official

The recent spate of persons being attacked with corrosive substances is causing concern for both the police and the judiciary. Although there are severe penalties for the “throwing of corrosive” substances some of the cases are often difficult to prosecute because the identification process may be lacking. One source within the judiciary told Kaieteur News that although the law makes provision for persons to receive “stiff” jail sentences, not many of the victims can identify their attacker (s).

Acid victim Shazaad Shaeed

Identification, according to the source, is something which holds the case together in order to get a conviction. The source went on to explain that depending on the severity of the attack, the matter can be dealt with either in the Magistrate’s court or the High court. The source further told Kaieteur News that in most cases the perpetrator is not located.
One businessman who operates a jewelry establishment explained that the purchase of acid is really done by a licensed goldsmith. The businessman explained that only a few pharmacies would sell acid. He said that although there is some amount of strictness regarding the sale, there are some instances of slippages.
The businessman noted that persons can also acquire acid from any mechanic. He explained that most mechanics have in their possession a “car battery”. The businessman explained that most car batteries are lead-acid batteries which are made up of plates of lead and separate plates of lead dioxide, which are submerged into an electrolyte solution of about 38 percent sulfuric acid and 62 percent water.
Back in 2008, Attorney-at-Law Gaumattiie Singh was hospitalized suffering from severe burns about her face and body following a brazen acid attack. The attack occurred while she and her husband were heading home in their car.
Seven years ago, Sussex Street resident Ron Robin was also disfigured in a similar manner. The alleged attacker also injured Robin’s reputed wife, Melissa Rogers. His attacker was nabbed several years after the incident and was charged.
East Coast Demerara resident Shazaad Shaeed, was allegedly disfigured by an acquaintance of a neighbour who had continuously tormented his family.
One of his relatives had told Kaieteur News that police had detained a suspect but then released him on $50,000 station bail.
More recently, someone also threw a corrosive substance in the face of a Kitty businesswoman.
The woman believes that the attack was in direct retaliation to the action that she and some other neighbours took against the owner of a popular establishment that is situated opposite her home.
Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Assistant Treasurer Pretipaul Jaigobin was disfigured a few years ago. Back in 2002, 17 year old Samantha Walton was burned to the face with acid. The attack left her blind in both eyes. Her assailant is still at large.
Several years ago 34-year-old Triumph, East Coast Demerara guard Alana Yaw was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after her former boyfriend doused her with acid. According to relatives, the woman was on her way home from when the incident occurred.
Yaw’s relatives said they were told by eyewitnesses that Yaw was walking along Hendricks Street, Triumph when the 46-year-old man emerged from his hiding place between two food shops, grabbed Yaw by the hand and threw the acid over her head.