Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
Acid attack destroys woman’s sight – court hears
…suspect remanded
Kaieteur News – Twenty-five-year-old Jilicia Leitch, who was doused with a corrosive substance on September 3, has reportedly become visually impaired and remains hospitalised.
Remanded: Keron Daniels
Prosecutors made the revelation in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where her alleged attacker, 32-year-old Keron Merin Daniels appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty, prior to being remanded.
Attorneys for Daniels sought bail for the accused, however, the prosecution strongly opposed, pointing out that Leitch is still hospitalised and visually impaired. The prosecution highlighted the severity of Leitch’s injuries, indicating she would require surgery. “Due to the seriousness of the offence, the prosecution cannot let such acts go lightly,” the court was advised.
Daniels, of Uitvlugt Pasture, West Coast Demerara, recently turned himself in to the police and confessed that it was he who threw the corrosive substance, said to be acid, on Leitch and 26-year-old Nirmala Sukraj on Wednesday, September 3.
Daniels doused the two female cashiers with the substance as they were walking along Middle and East Streets, Georgetown. The women, both employees of Balwant Singh Hospital, were reportedly on their way to buy lunch when a man approached them and threw the liquid before fleeing the scene.
Police investigations suggest the attack stemmed from a love affair involving Daniels, Leitch, and his partner. Daniels and Leitch reportedly shared a romantic relationship earlier in the year, which allegedly caused tensions within his family when it was discovered. Investigators believe this could have been the motive behind the attack.
Represented by attorneys Ronald Daniels and Ronald Bostwick, Daniels was charged with two counts of throwing a corrosive substance with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause grievous bodily harm to both victims. He was not required to enter a plea.
During the court proceeding, Bostwick argued for reasonable bail, emphasising that Daniels is a father of four, aged 15, 10, three, and one, and has no prior convictions. He contended that Daniels posed no threat to society, stating, “There is no reason to protect him from anyone else.” Bostwick also assured the court that Daniels would comply with any conditions imposed.
Co-counsel Ronald Daniels added that the attacker was masked and unidentified on CCTV footage, and the defence had not been granted access to review the video evidence. He further alleged that police coerced a confession from his client by threatening his wife and child. “We are adamant that in these circumstances, he should be granted bail,” he argued.
Responding to claims that Daniels was not identified in the CCTV footage, the prosecution pointed out that footage placed him as the driver of the getaway vehicle. After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate McGusty ordered a review of the CCTV footage and remanded Daniels in custody until the footage could be examined. His next court appearance is scheduled for today.
In a previous interview with Kaieteur News, a close friend of Leitch, who requested anonymity, shared details of the immediate aftermath. He said Leitch had not disclosed exactly where she was going, only that it was along East Street. He revealed that after the attack, Leitch and Sukraj ran in different directions seeking help. Leitch reportedly entered a nearby Guinness Bar but was turned away despite her obvious injuries.
“She told me the people put her out and asked her to leave while she was hollering in pain. She ended up running to the supermarket, where she collapsed. The Chinese people there came out with a bottle of water, soaked her, and rushed her to the hospital,” he recounted.
Sukraj managed to return to Balwant Singh Hospital for treatment. Leitch, who sustained burns to her face, stomach, and left hand, was unable to identify her attacker, as she did not see the person’s face. She told investigators that the assault occurred around 15:39hrs, just six feet from their workplace. A white car reportedly pulled up behind them, and someone inside hurled a glass bottle containing the corrosive liquid.
As the car sped off, Leitch felt her body began to burn.
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