20 years jail for wife killer

By Royan Abrams

A Corriverton, Berbice man has been sentenced to 20 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to the offence of manslaughter, which he committed against his wife on International Women’s Day last year.

Ravindra Bandoo, 31, known as “Birdie” of 77 Village Corriverton Berbice chopped his wife, Indrawattie Somwar several times about her body following a heated argument on March 8, 2016 at their home. He appeared before Justice James Bovel Drakes at the Berbice High Court on Monday.

The accused had confessed to Detectives that he would usually give the woman all his money, but on the day in question, the woman had refused to provide him with money to buy alcohol.

Bandoo was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Charandas Persaud and had denied the charge of murder; following consultations with his Attorney, he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Before handing down the sentence, the Judge reminded the Attorney that Bandoo was once spared jail time when he was previously charged with wounding but the case was dismissed because his wife had refused to give evidence against him in court.

News Room understands that on March 8, 2016, Bandoo was consuming alcohol at a neighbour’s house, after which he left for home. While at home, a heated argument ensued between himself and his wife, and as a result he armed himself with a cutlass and dealt the woman several chops about the face and head.

The woman was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.