National Border Patrol Coordinator, Daniel Seeram, was today handed a 13-month suspended sentence after being convicted of assaulting his ex-wife.

The suspended sentence means the former Region Four Regional Chairman will not spend any time in jail for the conviction.

Magistrate Abigail Gibbs in arriving at her decision took into consideration the favorable probational report presented to the Court, and Seeram’s previous good character.

“The Court finds that the defendant’s previous good character, his record of service to the State, and the glowing probation report provide substantial ground…that he is a suitable candidate for rehabilitation in the community rather than in the prison system,” Magistrate Gibbs said.

Initially, the Magistrate adopted a starting point of 24 months imprisonment. However, she deducted 10 months for good character, and the remorse shown by the convict.

“Ten months will be deducted for the defendant’s good character and his established record of service to the State. The Court is satisfied that this reduction properly reflects the full weight of personal mitigation while not depriving the sentence of the necessary gravity. This deduction reduces the starting point to 14 months,” the Magistrate ruled.

An additional one month was deducted for the time Seeram spent on remand, and as such, he was sentenced to 13 months in prison, but further considerations were given resulting in the suspended sentence.

Magistrate Gibbs warned that should he commit any offence over the next 13 months, he could find himself behind bars.

Seeram was convicted last month of assaulting his ex-wife and remanded to prison, despite attempts by his lawyer, Nigel Hughes to keep him out of the prison.

His ex-wife suffered injuries to her head, eyes, left arm and thigh, and breast among other sections of her body during an altercation with Seeram on September 11, 2023 while at their Cummings Lodge apartment.

Ahead of his sentencing today, Seeram, who appeared virtually from the Lusignan Prison, apologized to everyone impacted by the case including his ex-wife.

“As I look in the courtroom and I look at the persons who had been visiting and supporting me throughout this, I am sincerely sorry to all of them including Ms. Hamid, for having to go through all of this that is currently being acted out…I am quite remorseful or rather depressed of the entire situation that is unfolded,” Seeram told the Court.

Seeram wished his ex-wife the best in her future endeavors and said he is hopeful that she will find another partner, who is compatible with her to lead a fulfilling life.

But the Prosecution represented by Attorney at Law Ganesh Hira told the Court that Seeram, in his address was not remorseful, and did not apologize for his cowardly action.

Hira said instead of taking accountability, Seeram throughout the trial sought to shift responsibility, at one point suggesting that his ex-wife sustained the juries by harming herself. He said the Defence, then sought to suggest that the 36-year-old woman may have fallen while being intoxicated on the night of the incident.

Addressing the Court, the victim said she endured years of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of Seeram. According to her, he was manipulative, and sought to shift the blame.

She said the 2023 assault left her devastated and living in fear, adding that it has taken a toll on her physical health and emotional well-being. She said she now suffers from anxiety, and has difficulty trusting others.

Seeram, she said, never apologized for his action or showed any remorse. The victim urged the Court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crime committed.

But Attorney-at-Law Tiffaine Rutherford, who appeared in Court on behalf of Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, urged Magistrate Gibbs to consider a number of mitigating factors.

Rutherford said while they do not seek to excuse the conduct of the defendant, Seeram has since expressed how remorseful and saddened he is as a result of the incident. Rutherford pleaded with the Court to grant him non-custodial sentence or a suspended sentence due to his good character, and the national responsibility he holds as National Border Patrol Coordinator.

It was noted that Seeram was not previously convicted of any other crime.

The Probation Officer, Orlene Forrester, also presented a glowing report on Seeram’s behalf.

Forrester told the Court that the 36-year-old Seeram had undergone counseling after a 2021 assault incident and there was no record of any previous infractions.

According to her, Seeram throughout his engagements with her maintained his innocence, and apologized for everything that was happening. The Probation Officer told the Court further that Seeram’s parents, members of the community, and even his ex-wife described him as a kind, loving and respectful person. But that description was challenged by the Prosecution.

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