75-Y-O man who buried wife in unfinished house to spend 4 more years in jail

A 75-year-old man who killed his wife and buried her in an unfinished bathroom in their home has to serve about four more years in prison following a sentence handed down on Thursday.

The sentence was imposed by Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the High Court in Demerara.

Godfrey Leslie Durant fatally stabbed his wife, 50-year-old Joan Durant at their Melanie North, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home before burying her body. He was initially indicted for the capital offence of murder but opted to plea guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.

The killing occurred between June 26 and 28, 2012.

The woman’s remains were discovered by the Police several days after she went missing. Godfrey had told the Police that his wife had packed her bags and left their home on June 26, 2012.

But the woman’s relatives did not believe him and as such, they filed a missing person’s report. Police then launched a search for Joan, visiting her home from where a stench was coming.

Her body was subsequently discovered two days later buried in sand in the unfinished structure. In a caution statement, George told detectives that on June 26, 2012, he and his wife had a heated argument during which she slapped him and walked away.

The pensioner detailed that he grabbed his wife but she fell and hit her head on a concrete block and thereafter lay motionless. Fearful of the consequences he would face if the woman’s body was found, Gregory recalled that he buried his wife and lied to her family about her whereabouts.

In his address to the court, Gregory said: “Whatever took place that day, it should not have happened. She attacked me; she cuffed me to my face and throw me down on the ground. I am very sorry for whatever happened. I am asking for a second chance in life so that I can continue to live a peaceful life in the community and a peaceful life with my grandchildren and sons. If I coulda bring her [Joan] back to life, I woulda bring her back to life…”

Gregory was represented by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Smartt while Attorneys-at-Law Latifiah Elliot, Marisa Edwards, and Simran Gajraj appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

The Judge commenced her sentence at a base of 21 years. However, from this figure, seven years were deducted for his early guilty plea to the lesser offence, and another 10 years for the time he spent in pre-trial custody; bringing the man’s final sentence to four years.

The elderly man had been on remand for his partner’s killing since early June 2012.