By Andrew Carmichael

A New Amsterdam family has claimed to be now living in fear after a person who had allegedly perpetrated acts of terror against them was recently released from police custody, and is allegedly continuing to terrorise the family.

Tractor operator Marlon John, in a recent interview, told Guyana Times that he saw the suspect leaving his premises last Wednesday evening. That was the same night when arson was carried out at his home at Lot 852 Glasgow New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam, Berbice.

John, 35, observed that the suspect, recently released from prison, is the son of a police officer, and had in the past been placed before the court for setting fire to the home in which John lives.
John’s neighbour had, in March, allegedly set fire to the toilet of John’s home and had broken several windows of the home. On Saturday, when this publication visited, there was still evidence of the March fire.
The matter was reported to the police and the 19-year-old suspect was charged. He was subsequently sent by Magistrate Alex Moore to the National Psychiatric Hospital, where he was evaluated and then discharged.
According to John, the issue started when the 19-year-old suspect was forbidden from conversing with John’s 15-year-old daughter. According to John, on many occasions stones have been thrown on to roof of his house, sometimes even in the wee hours of the morning. Recounting what transpired on Wednesday night, John said he was awakened by a strange sound, and when he looked outside he saw his neighbour exiting the yard. He noted that when he ventured outside there was a fire on the wall downstairs.
John explained that he had on Wednesday seen the suspect using a cutlass to damage the fence separating the two yards, and when he raised an alarm, he was verbally abused and treats were made on his life, as well as towards his wife and daughter.
According to John, he was also told that his house would be burnt with his family inside if he continued to obstruct the friendship between the two teenagers. Police had arrested the suspect on Thursday.
Meanwhile, owner of the house in which John lives, Hardea Harrylall, also expressed concern at the situation, telling Guyana Times that she has a lot to lose. The woman alleged that when she went to make a report, she was told that she could not report the matter since she is the landlady, and not the tenant.