Body in Diamond house…Police Sergeant hired me to kill wife – killer tells investigator

– implicated by alleged killer
By Michael Jordan
In a case with as many twists and turns as a mystery novel, police believe that they have finally found

Ex police Sergeant
Colin Bailey

the individual who plotted and paid to have businesswoman Sirmattie Ramnaress clubbed to death in her home just over two years ago.
The trail has led them back to an individual they had questioned but had apparently exonerated: ex-Sergeant Colin Bailey, the victim’s estranged reputed husband.
A senior police official disclosed yesterday that a man who was implicated in the slaying has told investigators that Bailey had hired him to kill Ramnaress. After consulting with legal advisors, police were advised to institute murder charges against the former cop.
At around 14.30 hrs yesterday, Bailey was arrested and taken to CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Bailey, 51, of Lot 63, South Vryheid Lust, East Coast Demerara, was dismissed from the Force in June 2015, after being accused, along with his colleague, Detective Constable Paul Paddy, 29, of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, of taking bribes to settle a criminal matter. That matter is still before the court.
Police started to crack Sirmattie Ramnaress’ murder in November 2015, after arresting and charging the slain woman’s neighbour, 32-year-old Colin Grant, with the businesswoman’s murder.
Paul Bascom, who was among two bandits slain by police in December 2013, in Grove, East Bank Demerara, was also said to have participated in the murder.
Police had recovered a computer and a diamond ring, which were identified as items that the killers took from Ramnaress’ home.

Sirmattie Ramnaress

Investigators had always suspected that someone had paid individuals to kill Ramnaress, and that the mastermind was still at large.
But they had also suggested that ex-Sergeant Bailey was no longer a suspect.
Back then, the former Sergeant had also expressed relief that he was no longer being viewed as a suspect.
“I had a feeling all the time, because I knew that I was not part of it,” Bailey had told Kaieteur News after Grant’s arrest. “I knew some time it would all come to light.”
Sirmattie Ramnaress, also known as ‘Pavita’, was found lying face down in the garage of her 21st Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme residence on Saturday, August 31, 2013.
A postmortem revealed that the 46-year-old businesswoman was struck repeatedly to the head and body, and attempts had been made to strangle her.
A bond at the back of her property was also torched.
The killers reportedly gained entry to Ramnaress’ home after offering to kill a large serpent that they claimed was in her yard.
Investigators had almost immediately considered Ramnaress’ partner, Sergeant Bailey to be a suspect in her murder. They had even taken DNA samples from him.