Assault on Land Court judge…Husband recalls brutal beating, assault on his wife

Jan 14, 2016 News

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Mohamed Chand, the husband of Land Court Judge Nicola Pierre has positively   identified two of the men that beat him and his wife during a vicious home invasion, last July at their home in the gated community of Felicity, East Coast Demerara.
Due to the severe beatings by the intruders, Chand, a businessman received extensive injuries to his right eye and was forced to have it removed even after he had done three surgeries in Miami, Florida USA.
His wife, Pierre, flew to Canada, where she had a surgery done on her face.
She also received injuries to her right hand.
Warren Mc Kenzie, 22, of Lot 18 Brutus Street, Agricola; Damien Millington, 22, of Lot 118 Caesar Street, Agricola; Nicholas Narine, 18, also of Caesar Street Agricola; Premnauth Samaroo and Anthony David, 28 of 63 Hadfield Street, Stabroek, are jointly facing three charges— two counts of robbery under arms and a charge of discharging a loaded gun with intent.

Yesterday, the businessman told Magistrate Zamilla Ally- Seepaul that he had participated in two separate identification parades, during which he identified two of the men, (Millington and Narine) who took part in the robbery.
The witness however, noted that the identification was done via Skype (video calls), since he was in Miami, Florida US seeking medical attention.
Chand recalled that he was contacted by Assistant Superintendent of Police
“ASP Reid” a rank attached to the Criminal Investigation Department, (CID).
He explained that on both parades, the ASP informed him that the men who invaded his home may or may not be on display.
On the first ID parade Chand stated that he was shown nine men holding numbers one to nine respectively. He said that he was able to pick out the individual holding the number seven.
When asked by Prosecutor Nigel Hughes, whether he sees that persons in court, Chand replied “yes” and pointed to (Millington) the number two defendant..
Millington, Chand said, was one of the men, who stood in the closet of the master bedroom, the night his family was attacked.
A second ID parade was conducted and according to the witness, there were 13 men in the lineup. The men, he said, were all brown in complexion, medium built and like the first ID parade; the men on display were holding numbers.

Chand stated that he was able to identify the man holding number one. He pointed out the individual in the courtroom and the Magistrate asked the number three defendant, Nicholas Narine to stand.
The witness told the court that Narine was the man who beat his wife and tied her up. He reiterated that he was able to view the men properly since there were no interruptions during the call. He also added that at no time did he give the men permission to enter his home, assault him or take his belongings.
Chand completed his evidence and the defendants declined to cross examine him.
The trial for the five men began on Monday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
According to the first charge on July 9, last at Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD), the defendants, while armed with a handgun, robbed Mohamed Chand of five wrist watches, a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone, US$8,000, a wedding ring, four Oakley sunglasses and one leather wallet.
The second charge alleges that the intruders robbed Pierre at gunpoint on the same day. She was relieved of several gold rings, diamond jewellery, a clump of gold, and a quantity of gem stones among other items.
In addition, the men are also charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Roy Peters, a security guard, with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm.
They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently on remand.
Awakened by gunman
The Commissioner of Title and her husband survived the grueling home invasion, approximately six months ago.
Over the past three days, the couple has been detailing the brutal attack and robbery which occurred at their home before Magistrate Ally-Seepaul.
On Tuesday, Chand had testified that he secured his three-storey house before retiring to bed hours before the men invaded. He recollected that around 01:00hr the following morning he was awakened by a man, who stood over him with a gun.
The man, he said, was about five feet tall and dark in complexion.
Chand told the court that the man ordered him to “get up” and that he attempted to push the gunman away but was dealt several lashes to the head with the firearm the man was holding.
“He choked me from behind. At this point the same man proceeded to tie me up,” the witness recalled. Chand went on to say that the same man taped his mouth with brown tape and tied up his hands while another man entered his master bedroom.
He identified the man who dragged him into the closet as Warren McKenzie, the number five defendant.
While in the closet, Chand recalled that McKenzie shoved him to the ground before briefly leaving to return with his wife.
“He brought her (Pierre) into the closet and shoved her to the ground while one of the accused, Nicholas Narine, entered the room.”
According to Chand, Damien Millington also entered the closet even as Narine tied him and his wife.
The victim noted that McKenzie asked him, “Where is the f@#%ing money”.
He continued, “My wife showed them the jewellery in a box and our valuables in a safe.”
McKenzie, Chand said, then asked him, “This can’t be it. You got a big house like this, you got to have more.”
He stated that after his wife explained that there was “no more”, McKenzie slapped her to the face “real real hard” with a gun.
“At this time Narine hit her. I attempted to get up to stop them but McKenzie hit me to the face with his gun. At this point he asked me where is the little boy (his son).”
He told the court that he and his wife were dragged out of the master bedroom and then back into the room. He stated that the bandits found a bag with US$8,000. Chand said that he was repeatedly gun butted to the face for about two minutes, before he collapsed.
The next thing he remembered was going to the bathroom for a pair of scissors. Attempts were made by the couple to contact the police. However, he told the court that they were unsuccessful. Chand said he later made contact with a friend who arrived at his home some 15 minutes later.
The witness recalled that after the attack his wife’s face was swollen while he bled from facial wounds.
Chand pointed out that the men carted off five brand name watches, five pairs of Oakley sunglasses, his wedding band and a Samsung Galaxy S5 cell phone.
He stated that he was able to see the faces of his attackers because they were unmasked and lights were on in his home at the time.
So far, the Land Court Judge has also positively identified two of the men; Mc Kenzie and Narine.  The trial continues today in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

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