GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A High Court judge Tuesday sentenced a 52-year-old man to 10 years in jail after he was found guilty of stabbing his wife to death at their home on May 16, 2019.
Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, sitting at the Essequibo High Court, imposed the sentence on Davenand Narine, who stabbed his 39-year-old wife, Farida Khayum, at their Riverstown, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast home.
Narine had been arraigned on February 16 this year on the murder charge but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
According to the probation report read in Court, Narine left school at 12 to help on the family’s farm and was described as a “hardworking” individual who would imbibe and smoke cigarettes.
The report noted that Narine is a well-behaved prisoner who was baptized while behind bars based on information from the prison authorities.
Narine is reported to have been drinking alcohol on the day of the killing and had not intended to kill his wife.
I want to apologize for my actions… May the Lord have mercy on me,” Narine told the Court before his sentencing.
In a plea of mitigation, his attorney, Latchmi Dindayal, said that his client has shown remorse for his actions and has made steps to rehabilitate himself.
But in imposing the sentence, Justice Barlow said that she considered that the crime stemmed from a domestic dispute and alcohol played a role.
The judge started the sentence at 16 years and made a one-third deduction for his early guilty plea.
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