Construction worker accused of murdering Tuschen taxi driver remanded

L-R: Ronald Sackoon and Leon Parahoo

Ronald Sackoon, who is accused of fatally stabbing a taxi driver, was on Tuesday remanded to prison.

Sackoon, a 30-year-old construction worker from Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was hauled before Magistrate Rhondel Weaver in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on August 23, 2024, at Parika, EBE, he murdered Leon Parahoo.

Sackoon informed the court that his common-law wife is expected to deliver a baby in three months. Despite this, he was remanded to prison and is scheduled to reappear in Court on September 27, 2024.

Parahoo, who is said to be from Tuschen and Zeelugt, was allegedly stabbed by Sackoon between August 17 and 18. He, however, died on August 23, 2024, in the Intensive Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Guyana Police Force had said that on the day in question, Sackoon requested to be taken to Nancy’s Bar at Parika Access Road by a 22-year-old taxi driver.

The driver agreed, and Sackoon entered the car. He sat in the rear with a Guinness in hand, dressed in a dark hoodie and black pants. During the short drive, Sackoon asked the driver to stop, claiming he had forgotten something.

He then exited the car, heading north. After waiting a few minutes, Sackoon returned to the vehicle in a hurry, jumped in, and ordered the driver to drive off quickly, confessing that he had just stabbed someone.

Sackoon then placed a shiny blade on the driver’s neck and threatened to kill his entire family if he mentioned the incident to anyone.

Fearful for his life, the 22-year-old driver drove for some distance before stopping and ordering Sackoon out of the vehicle.

When Sackoon refused to exit, the driver retrieved a piece of wood from his car and confronted him. The defendant fled into the riverside but was subsequently arrested.

The Police Force had said that the victim and the defendant are known to each other following an altercation in 2023 where Parahoo allegedly stabbed Sackoon.