Alex Douglas known as ‘Smiley’ was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 20 years for the 2012 fatal stabbing of his reputed wife, Allison Bowen.
Douglas was sentenced by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Georgetown High Court.
On February 14, Douglas was first arraigned at the High Court and admitted that on October 14, 2012, he murdered Bowen and wounded her sister, Nicola King on the same date at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
Douglas was represented by attorney Latchmie Rahamat.
During Douglas’ sentencing hearing on Thursday, his probation report was read in court.
Douglas told the probation officer that Bowen made him a better man and he viewed her as “special.” However, the relationship became filled with domestic abuse since she would accuse him of infidelity.
The probation officer further told the court that Douglas’ violent ways towards his wife created fear in the Goedverwagting community. However, Douglas told the probation officer that his heart bleeds to know what happened to his wife.
The victim’s daughter, Jamacia Bowen, gave a victim impact statement.
“It’s almost like a part of me died with her. After she died, I became angry and would cry myself to sleep most times,” Jamacia told the court.
She disclosed that the trauma has caused her to suffer anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
“I know for a fact that if my mother was still alive that maybe our lives would have been way better than it is today…To the women currently in an abusive relationship, you don’t have to put up with it. Leave! There is a better life,” she said.
Meanwhile, during his address to the court, Douglas said, “I’m apologising sincerely to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased, especially her three children. It breaks my heart to know that children have to grow up without parents.”
“Your worship, I am sorry for everything that happened. I am very sorry for all the drama I put the mother, children, and sister through. I’m asking you, your worship for the maximum [penalty].”
Prosecutor Caressa Henry, who presented the State’s case against Douglas, asked the court to hand down a sentence that is reflective of the crime committed.
She said that the sentence must serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals that such acts against women will not be tolerated.
In sentencing, Justice Morris-Ramlall noted that violence by intimate partners cannot be condoned and such crimes are a plague in society.
For the offence of murder, the Judge sentenced Douglas to serve life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years.
For the felonious wounding charge, Douglas was handed eight years imprisonment. She ordered that the sentencing run concurrently and that Douglas undergo monthly counselling for anger management.
According to reports, Douglas was abusive and would often assault Bowen. On the day in question, the two had an argument and Douglas chased Bowen and forced her to eat some rat poison.
When the woman refused, Douglas stabbed her several times. Her sister was also injured during the attack when she attempted to save her.
After committing the crime, Douglas ingested rat poison in an attempt to commit suicide and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated.
A post-mortem examination performed on the woman revealed that she was stabbed nine times to the back, hand, heart and left hand.
