The June 2026 Berbice Assizes officially opened yesterday with the traditional parade and march-past along Esplanade Road outside the Supreme Court in New Amsterdam.
Presiding Judge, Justice Simone Morris took the salute from an inspector and 21 ranks of the Guyana Police Force’s Central Police Station during the ceremony.
Among those attending were State Prosecutrix Marissa Edwards, Mayor Wainwright McIntosh, Deputy Mayor Kirk Fraser, Divisional Police Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus, Divisional Fire Officer Shannon Crawford, Officer-in-Charge of the New Amsterdam Prison Superintendent Patrick Crawford, and other members of the Joint Services and invited guests.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a total of 81 serious criminal matters are scheduled to be heard during the assizes. These comprise 19 murder cases, five manslaughter matters, eight attempted murder cases and 49 sexual offences matters, including rape, sexual activity with a child and sexual activity within the family.
The 49 rape and related sexual offences cases represent the highest number of such matters to be heard at the Berbice Assizes in recent years.
Information from the New Amsterdam Prison indicates that 53 inmates are listed for matters before the assizes.
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