In a landmark ruling that brings closure to a case that has gripped Guyana for nearly seven years, Justice Navindra Singh of the High Court in Demerara has sentenced Roy Sandiford and Akeem Morris to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the 2018 murder of Troy Ramalho, popularly known as ‘Cheese Man’.
The sentencing, which took place on March 6, 2025, follows the unanimous guilty verdict delivered by a 12-member jury on January 31, 2025, after a week-long trial and nearly five hours of deliberation.
Ramalho, a well-known cheese and sausage vendor at Bourda Market, met his untimely demise on August 15, 2018, in a brutal robbery that shocked the community. According to court proceedings, Sandiford shot Ramalho point-blank while Morris stripped the dying man of his gold jewelry.
The Crime
On the fateful night, Ramalho had just finished his usual business at his Robb Street stall when he was approached by Sandiford, Morris, and a third accomplice, Nya John. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage revealed that Sandiford, armed with a gun, ordered Ramalho not to move before firing the fatal shot.
As Ramalho collapsed, Morris seized the opportunity to remove three gold chains and three gold rings from the victim. The assailants then fled the scene in a getaway car driven by George Paton, who was waiting nearby.
The Investigation and Trial
The Guyana Police Force launched an aggressive investigation, leading to the swift arrests of Morris on August 26, 2018, and Sandiford on September 1, 2018. Both men were positively identified in separate identification parades at the Brickdam Police Station.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by State Counsel Christopher Belfield and assisted by Muntaz Ali, presented a compelling case. They introduced surveillance footage showing the accused approaching Ramalho’s stall before the crime and fleeing afterward. Additionally, one of the accused had provided information implicating both Morris and Sandiford.
Defense Strategies
The defense teams mounted vigorous challenges to the prosecution’s case. Morris’s attorneys, Kiswana Jefford and Nigel Hughes, argued that the identification parade was unfair and that their client was being victimized by the police. Morris claimed he was at home with his one-year-old daughter at the time of the crime.
Sandiford’s defense, led by attorney Dexter Todd, also questioned the fairness of the identification parade and presented witnesses who claimed Sandiford was at a Superbet shop in Albouystown during the murder. However, these alibis were significantly weakened under cross-examination.
The Verdict and Sentencing
The jury’s unanimous guilty verdict on January 31, 2025, set the stage for today’s sentencing. During the hearing, prosecutors urged the court to consider the brutal nature of the crime as an aggravating factor.
Justice Singh’s decision to impose life sentences without the possibility of parole reflects the severity of the crime and sends a strong message about the consequences of violent robbery in Guyana.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Sandiford and Morris brings a measure of justice to Ramalho’s family and the community he served. It also marks the end of a complex legal process that has tested Guyana’s criminal justice system. As the case concludes, it leaves behind important discussions about public safety, the effectiveness of CCTV surveillance, and the ongoing challenges of combating violent crime in the country.
