A Hampshire, Corentyne resident was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday after pleading guilty to murdering a 69‑year‑old businessman during a robbery.
Satesh Ramnarace admitted to the killing of Akbhar Sain, which occurred during a robbery at Sain’s supermarket in Williamsburg Village on October 18, 2023.
At the sentencing hearing, the probation officer told the court that community interviews portrayed Ramnarace as generally helpful and that checks at Rose Hall Town Police Station and the New Amsterdam Prison revealed no prior criminal record. The officer said Ramnarace told her he had been experiencing severe financial difficulties, which prompted him to steal from the supermarket.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Meenawattie Rajkumar told the court she evaluated Ramnarace on February 11, 2026. She reported that he was cooperative, understood the nature of the evaluation, and had been treated for depressive disorder and remained stable. Dr. Rajkumar recommended ongoing psychiatric care.
When given the opportunity to speak before sentence was passed, Ramnarace expressed remorse, apologised and asked for mercy, telling the court his actions were driven by a desire to provide for his children.
Delivering sentence, Justice Kumar‑Chetty reviewed the circumstances of the offence and its impact on community safety. The judge noted that the defendant unlawfully entered the victim’s home and place of business with intent to steal, and that the victim — described as vulnerable by the court — suffered severe blows to the head that caused skull fractures and exposed brain tissue. Despite the defendant leaving the victim bleeding and continuing the robbery, the judge accepted that the killing was not premeditated.
The court considered mitigating factors, including Ramnarace’s early guilty plea and apparent remorse, which spared the family the ordeal of a full trial. Taking those factors into account, Justice Kumar‑Chetty imposed the minimum life sentence provided by law. She ordered that Ramnarace must serve at least 20 years before becoming eligible to apply for parole.
