8 years jail for man who attempted to murder girlfriend

A 48-year-old former cane cutter was on Friday sentenced to eight years imprisonment for brutally chopping his girlfriend and severing her left wrist in 2017.

Warren Dennis formerly of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was sentenced by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court.

Last month, Dennis admitted that on April 23, 2017, at Beterverwagting, he attempted to murder the 47-year-old woman.

According to reports, Dennis and the victim were in an abusive relationship. On the day in question, the couple had a misunderstanding and Dennis armed himself with a cutlass and followed the victim through an alleyway.

Dennis reportedly chopped the woman to her face, shoulders and left hand, severing her wrist. She managed to escape but Dennis ran behind her and continued his attack.

During the sentencing hearing, a probation report was read in court by a social worker; she said that Dennis was described as “responsible and hardworking” by people in his community.

However, she said that the residents revealed that Dennis was abusive towards his family, especially the victim.

The victim, who read her impact statement in court said, “I don’t have any confidence in myself; I don’t socialise anymore…This incident has taken a toll on me. Every day I cry for what this man has done to me.”

She also asked the court to impose the maximum sentence on Dennis.

Dennis’ attorney, Madan Kissoon said that his client is remorseful for his actions and wishes to compensate the victim.

Prosecutor Cicelia Corbin asked the court to consider the injury the victim sustained along with the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence. She also said that the attack was “preplanned and unprovoked.”

Among other things, the prosecutor asked the judge to impose a sentence that will be a deterrent to not only Dennis but to like-minded offenders.

The Judge, after considering the nature of the case, said that she found no mitigating factors in favour of Dannis. However, she gave him credit for his early guilty plea and his expression of remorse.

In the end, Justice Morris-Ramlall sentenced Dennis to eight years imprisonment and ordered that the prison authorities deduct time spent on remand from the sentence. Dennis has spent the last five years on remand.