Former Police Officer Yogendra Sukhdeo was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 21-year-old businessman Amit Singh, with Justice Sandil Kissoon condemning the killing as calculated and merciless.

The High Court Judge ordered that Sukhdeo, 27, of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. The time he has already spent on remand since his remand in October 2023 will be deducted from his sentence.

Sukhdeo’s sentencing followed his decision to abandon his not guilty plea and admit to the capital offence of murder committed during the course of a robbery. He entered the guilty plea last month, moments before he was scheduled to face a 12-member jury before Justice Kissoon.