10 years jail for Essequibo man who stabbed wife to death

Davenand Narine was on Tuesday sentenced to serve 10 years imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of his reputed wife, 39-year-old Farida Khayum, at their Riverstown, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast home on May 16, 2019.

Narine, 52, was sentenced by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Essequibo High Court.

On February 16, 2022, Narine was arraigned in court for murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

During his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, a probation report was read in court by a social worker and revealed that Narine dropped out of school at age 12 to help on the family’s farm. He was described as a “hardworking” individual, who would imbibe and smoke cigarettes.

The social worker told the court that based on reports from the prison authorities, Narine is a well-behaved prisoner, who was baptized while behind bars.

As it relates to his attitude towards the crime, Narine told the probation officer that on the day in question, he was consuming alcohol before he went home to attack his wife.

Narine, however, said that it was not his intention to kill his wife, and if given a second chance, he would have walked away.

His lawyer, Latchmi Dindayal, during a plea of mitigation, said that his client has shown remorse for his actions and has made steps to rehabilitate himself.

Narine during his address to the court said, “I would like to apologise for my actions… May the Lord have mercy on me.”

The judge, in imposing the sentence, 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.

This means that Narine will serve 10 years and the prison authorities will have to deduct the time spent on remand for his sentence.  The State was represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken.

According to reports, Narine and his reputed wife were in the kitchen area at their home when an argument ensued. It is alleged that Narine armed himself with a knife and stabbed her several times about her body.

Narine was arrested and taken to the Suddie Hospital where he was treated for ingesting poison.