Brian Mathieson gets five years for killing neighbour during confrontation

Brian Mathieson

Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh on Monday sentenced Brian Mathieson to five years’ imprisonment for the 2019 manslaughter of his neighbour, Ronald Betancourt, at the Demerara High Court. Time spent on remand will be deducted.

The court arrived at the sentence after starting at 18 years, deducting one-third (six years) for his guilty plea, three years for remorse, and a further four years for the conduct of the deceased.

In delivering the sentence, the judge weighed both mitigating and aggravating factors, including Mathieson’s expressions of remorse and the seriousness of the offence, as well as the impact on the victim.

During the hearing, the prosecution, led by Christopher Belfield, outlined that Mathieson and Betancourt were neighbours. The court heard that Mathieson allegedly entered Betancourt’s yard armed with a knife and stabbed him multiple times, leaving him hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The prosecution also highlighted aggravating factors, including the nature of the attack and reports suggesting a history of aggressive behaviour.

In response, the defence urged the court to consider Mathieson’s troubled background, mental health challenges, and efforts at rehabilitation, while maintaining that the incident stemmed from a confrontation and that he accepted responsibility for the outcome. Mathieson also apologised in court.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court had ordered a psychiatric evaluation after concerns were raised about Mathieson’s behaviour.

The charge stemmed from an incident on September 27 at Princes Street, Wortmanville, where Mathieson wounded Betancourt who later passed due to his injuries.