The ex-husband of Babita Sarjou who was murdered in 2010, was today sentenced to 22 and a half years in jail for the crime, while his accomplice will face 18 and a half years in jail.
The sentences were handed down today by the High Court.
The husband, 45-year-old Anand Narine and his co-accused, 41-year-old Darrol Ponton had initially denied the murder charge, but in January admitted to the gruesome crime.
In the High Court today, the jury, upon being informed of the men’s confession, returned two guilty verdicts on the instruction of Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall.
Hours later, the two convicts were sentenced by the Judge.
With tears flowing down their faces, the murder convicts begged for mercy as they appeared virtually.
In separate statements, they told the Court that they were truly sorry for the crime, and during their time on remand, they have been transformed and are now living for the Lord.
But Justice Morris-Ramlall, in handing down the sentences, took into consideration the nature of the offense and the circumstances under which it was committed.
The High Court Judge said Narine intentionally killed his ex-wife, noting that he had a well laid out plan.
“For some time prior to her death, he orchestrated a plan to kill her and conceal her body. He breached the trust reposed in him by her and her family members. A great deal of planning was involved. There was nothing impulsive about his actions. It is also horrifying that he executed his plan in the presence of his son,” the Judge said
The judge said Sarjou’s life was not only snuffed out, but her body was unceremoniously converted to a concrete grave for several years.
In arriving at the sentence, the High Court Judge considered a number of cases, including the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the Neesa Gopaul Case.
“I have considered that he has a previous good record. I have considered his expressions of remorse and acknowledgement of responsibility for his actions. I’ve considered information regarding his conduct while in prison and his efforts towards rehabilitation however, I do not consider these mitigating factors to be deserving of credit given the circumstances of this case, they are outweighed by the aggravating factors.,” the High Court Judge said.
However, she discounted seven and a half years from Narine’s sentence after taking into account his guilty plea, resulting in his sentence being reduced to 22 and a half years. Further, his time spent on remand will also be discounted.
In the case of Compton, the High Court Judge also took into consideration the nature of the crime and both the aggravating and mitigating factors before arriving at his sentence.
The Judge said Compton was also part of the well-orchestrated plan to kill the 28-year-old woman, however, she acknowledged that he had no relations to the woman, and was merely involved for financial gains.
The family of Babita Sarjou reported her missing in 2010. Her remains were found in the husband’s yard in a shallow grave six years later.
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