Man gets 11 years for dousing school boy with acid

Jul 16, 2016 News

Injured: Harlan Rose

A man who was in the habit of beating his parents, who had a bad reputation in the various communities in which he lived and who subsequently disfigured a school boy with acid has been jailed for 11 years.
Kelvin Joshua, called “Puttu”, or Joshua Singh, 26, formerly of Victoria Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice and of Lot 85, No 77 Housing Scheme, Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice was handed the sentence on Friday by Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Berbice High Court.
Joshua was previously found guilty by a mixed jury and the Judge had ordered a probation report.
He was charged with throwing a destructive substance on Harlan Rose, a schoolboy at the time of Cumberland Village East Canje Berbice with intent to cause him grievously bodily harm with intent or to maim, disfigure or disable or murder him.
The date was July 11, 2011 at Victoria Street, Cumberland.
He was also charged with throwing destructive substance with intent to maim, disable, disfigure and cause grievous bodily harm on Rose. He was found guilty on the first count.
A chilling report presented by Senior Probation and Social Services Officer, Egla October, detailed the list of misgivings of Joshua whose real name is Kelvin Jausha Singh as seen on his birth certificate.
The report detailed how the accused and his parents lived at different locations in Demerara and Berbice. He dropped out of secondary school and was expelled from Technical Institute due to his indifferent behaviour.
The report described Rose as a respectful and mannerly person.

Jailed 11 years: Kelvin Joshua

The report stated that residents in the various communities that Joshua lived were very fearful of him. He would traverse the streets, used expletives and behave in a vulgar manner. He disrespected and dishonored females in the communities.
His action instilled fear in some residents especially parents with female children. Residents are happy that the family has moved from the community and are fearful of his return. The report also mentioned that he was physically and verbally abusive to his parents.
In a plea of mitigation Attorney at Law Charrandass Persaud stated that his client maintained the issue was one of self defence. However it was unfortunate that the young man was maimed for life. He begged the Judge to consider Joshua’s age and the fact he has a three-month old child.
He however said that Rose is gainfully employed. He begged the court for mercy and to be lenient on his client who still has his life ahead. He intoned that his client is willing to offer compensation to the victim, which was however rejected by the victim’s relatives.
Before passing sentence Justice Reynolds thanked the lawyers and jury for their service.
The Judge touched on the fact that society is declining. The use of drugs and violence is reaching epidemic proportions, he said, and asked that something be done quickly to arrest the situation.
Justice Reynolds told Joshua that the jury did not believe his story which sounded more like a fairy tale. He had in mind between 10 and15 years in jail, but settled on 13. He however deducted out one for his age, young wife and three months old child and one for his late offer of compensation. Thus he was sentenced to 11 years.
The accused stood motionless and showed no remorse after he was sentenced. Rose testified that after learning that “Yankee” was not there. He began talking with the ladies. A lot of noise was coming from Joshua yard. He was beating his parents. Prosecutor Stacy Goodings had urged the jurors to reject the accused’s story which does not make any sense.
Just look where the victim got burn? On his face, about is body, on his arm as he tried to bar. She said that the accused had all intentions of injuring Rose whom he attacked from the back. He challenged him to fight; he told him he was coming back. He did return armed with a bottle with acid and threw it on him. He is scarred for life.
It was an unprovoked, serious and senseless act caused on the victim.
The accused had given an unsworn statement from the dock in which he stated that he was at home with his family when he hear a’ lil’ noise coming from in front of the yard. He grabbed a hockey stick and run down stairs. He saw a boy with a bottle in his hand. “The boy threw something on his right side shoulder.”

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