After being remanded on Tuesday for the East Street, Georgetown acid attack that left two women injured, Keron Mervin Daniels was on Wednesday granted bail.
The 32-year-old man of Uitvlugt Pasture, West Coast Demerara, had appeared virtually before Chief Magistrate (acting) Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he was read two counts of throwing a corrosive substance with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Prosecutors had opposed bail, stressing the seriousness of the offence, which they linked to a personal dispute. The prosecutors also argued that they had possession of CCTV which linked the defendant at the crime scene.
But defence attorneys Ronald Bostwick and Ronald Daniels had argued that their client, a father of four children (aged 15, 10, 3, and 1) had no prior convictions and posed no danger to society. They said he was willing to comply with strict conditions, including lodging his passport and signing a recognizance.
After hearing the arguments, Magistrate McGusty ordered Daniels remanded to prison until September 17 – where the prosecution was scheduled to present the video footage to the court.
When the case was called up today before Magistrate McGusty, the prosecution informed the court that although the CCTV recording had been obtained, it was not available in time for the hearing. In those circumstances, Magistrate McGusty granted bail set at $500,000. Daniels is scheduled to return to court on October 22, 2025.
The charges against Daniels stem from injuries suffered by cashier Jillicia Leitch, who sustained severe burns, and 20-year-old Nirmala Sukraj of Good Hope Phase One, East Coast Demerara, who was left with minor burns.
Police said the women were attacked around 15:30hrs after leaving the Balwant Singh Hospital to buy food. A white motorcar reportedly pulled up from behind, and a passenger tossed a glass bottle filled with a corrosive liquid in their direction before speeding off.
Leitch suffered burns to her face, stomach, and left hand, and doctors have said she will need surgery. She has also been left visually impaired. Sukraj was treated at hospital and discharged later that evening.
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