The East Coast Demerara police have arrested a Melanie Damishana
homeowner following the electrocution of a young villager who came
into contact with his electrified fence.
Dead is Leandrew Davis, 16, of Melanie Damishana, who was pronounced
dead around 18:50 hours by a prominent doctor in the district.
Reports indicate that Davis was engaged in a game of football on the
Melanie Damishana playfield when he tried to retrieve the ball that
was kicked in the vicinity of the man’s fence. The playfield is
separated from the fence by a drain.
As Davis attempted to collect the ball he came into contact with the
fence and was electrocuted.
Several of his colleagues attempted to rescue him but by then it was
too late.
The incident angered many residents of the community who converged
on the property to vent their feelings.
The police who arrived on the scene to arrest the homeowner had the
devil’s job of removing him from his house, since the angry crowd
surrounded them with a view to taking their own action.
In the ensuing melee the angry residents overturned the homeowner’s
car amidst the ongoing commotion.
However, after several minutes the police managed to take the
homeowner to the Vigilance Police Station where he remained in custody
up to late last night.
Kaieteur News understands that the man told police that he had only
switched on his electricity mere minutes before the incident occurred.
However, angry residents lamented the fact that he did put on the
electricity, although he was aware that youths were still playing in
the playfield close to his fence.
The man also claimed that he had electrified the fence to prevent
persons from stealing his livestock.
Early last year another homeowner from Beterverwagting, East Coast
Demerara, was charged with manslaughter following the death of a
villager who came into contact with his fence.