15 years for killing pensioner

“WHAT manner of man are you?” Justice Alice Yorke Soo Hon asked Allan Ramdass, 34, whom she yesterday jailed for 15 years for causing the death a 78-year-old woman, who was also robbed and raped by Ramdass. “This crime is a serious one and the events are horrendous,” Justice Soo Hon said. “A 78-year-old, retired to bed in the sanctity of her home. The court wonders what manner of man are you, the court has a duty to protect senior citizens from barbaric acts such as these,” she added. Noting that Ramdass had ten previous convictions ranging from breaking and entering and larceny, Justice Soo Hon said his life of crime grew worse over the years. “Your heart of stone has grown harder and harder. There is absolutely nothing to indicate you want to give up your life of crime. The court is satisfied that you are a criminal,” Justice Soo Hon pronounced. She, however, noted the remorse of the accused, having confessed to police upon his arrest.

Ramdass was charged with murdering Beulah Farrell, 78, between December 12 and 15, 2000. Two Mondays ago, in his first opportunity to enter a plea to the murder charge, Ramdass pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and State prosecutor Brambhanan Dubay accepted this plea. Ramdass was defended by attorney Chateram Sinanan instructed by Stedson Jack. The accused, a self-confessed cocaine addict, admitted that he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and was in search of money to finance the habit when he attacked Farrell in her home at Manahambre Road, Princes Town. Ramdass told police in a confession statement that he broke into Farrell’s house and as the elderly woman screamed out, he fought with her and they fell on a bed. Ramdass further admitted sitting on Farrell’s chest to bind and gag her with pieces of cloth he tore from a pillow case. 

Ramdass then demanded that the pensioner hand over her money. When she refused, Ramdass said, he raped her. “Like I trigger off now and I brush the lady,” Ramdass admitted in his confession statement to police. The accused ransacked the house and found $485 under Farrell’s mattress which he later used to buy cocaine and matches. On December 14, 2000, Farrell’s neighbour David Phillip made a report to Princes Town police after noticing through the elderly woman’s open back door, that her house was ransacked.