A sheep theft charge against 43-year-old Nankumar Sham, called “Shacty”, of Lot 4 Reliance, East Canje, Berbice, was dismissed on Wednesday after the court upheld a no-case submission by the defence.
Sham appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, where the prosecution closed its case without him being called upon to present a defence.
He had been charged with stealing nine sheep valued at G$500,000 belonging to Bano Priya Charles of Number 57 Village, Corentyne, on July 24, 2025.
The trial, which commenced in March, spanned several months and included testimony from the virtual complainant, who told the court she identified the sheep by markings on their ears and tails. She also claimed the animals responded when she called them.
During cross-examination, defence attorney Vinay Punwasi challenged that evidence, putting it to Charles that ear and tail markings are commonly used by sheep rearers to identify their livestock. Charles agreed that other farmers use similar methods of identification.
In his closing submissions, Punwasi argued that the prosecution had failed to establish the essential elements of the offence of larceny and that its case was based solely on weak circumstantial evidence.
After considering the submissions, Magistrate Hardy upheld the defence’s no-case submission and dismissed the charge against Sham.
The matter stemmed from a police operation in July 2025 at a residence in Rose Hall, Canje, after officers received information about allegedly stolen sheep.
Police searched the home of Omwattie Rajcoomar and reportedly found several sheep and lambs tied in the yard. At the time, the animals were said to have been positively identified by Charles as belonging to her.
Rajcoomar, Sham and Rajcoomar’s then 17-year-old son, Christopher Lakeram, were arrested and taken into custody.
However, following the conclusion of the case against Sham, the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a case against him, resulting in the charge being dismissed.
