10 years in jail for labourer who killed drinking buddy

A labourer was on Wednesday handed a 10-year jail term for killing his co-worker during a drinking spree in 2018.

45-year-old Phillip Solomon of Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), had his sentence imposed by High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds.

Earlier this month, Solomon, who was initially indicted for murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He admitted that on October 24, 2018, at Timehri Docks, EBD, he unlawfully killed 51-year-old Vernon Cummings, called ‘Ervil.’

Media reports are that the two men, who were both labourers, were at a wharf at Timehri, where they would normally consume alcohol together.

The duo was imbibing on the day in question when an argument ensued between them.

During the brawl, Cummings armed himself with a piece of iron, and Solomon, armed himself with a piece of wood, and the two began lashing each other about the body.

Cummings was rushed to the Diamond Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.