Farmer gets 13-year sentence for killing labourer over construction net

Farmer Richard Martin has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for the September 2020 killing of Bourda Market labourer Ovid Chester, who was stabbed after he reportedly conned Martin out of a construction net that he promised to sell.

The sentence was imposed on Wednesday by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, who commenced at a base of 20 years. Following deductions, she announced the sentence to be 13 years, less time served for the period he spent on remand awaiting trial.

In handing down the sentence the judge noted that she had taken into consideration, among other things, the gravity of the offence, its premeditated nature and the caution statement Martin had given to investigators.