East Canje man on attempted murder charge for burning son

Apr 11, 2017 News

Devindra Somawaru, 35 of Lot 133 Gangaram, a field foreman attached to the Rose Hall Estate, is on trial before Justice James Bovell-Drakes and a mixed jury in the Berbice High Court on a charge of attempting to murder his son.

Devindra Somwaru

He is accused on Thursday May 7, 2015, of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder; and is also on an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The prosecution’s case is being presented by attorney at law Orinthia Schmidt.
Somawaru is conducting his own defence. He is alleged to have committed the act on Ricky Somawaru, 11, of the same address and a student of the Port Mourant Primary School.
According to information the man and his son lived alone.
He is alleged to have committed the act around 22:50 hrs on the day in question. The two were allegedly at home where the elder Somawaru was drinking. He attempted to leave to purchase more alcoholic beverages, but was stopped by his son. The man insisted on going and his son held on to him.
As a result the man got hold of some mentholated and threw it about his son’s body and lit a match causing him to receive burns to his body.
The child was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted for emergency treatment before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital the following day, where he was admitted for further treatment and remained for five weeks.
The father was arrested and charged.
Among those called to testify were the child and his mother. The woman, Shanta Bridgepaul, told the court that at the time of the incident her son was living with the accused. He had lived with her but after some infractions he was sent to live with his father following a report by the Child Protection Agency and a meeting with both parents.
On the night in question she had received a call that her son was in the hospital. She immediately rushed to the medical institution where she saw her son in severe pain. He had injuries to his face, torso, arms, chest, neck, hands, thighs, mouth, and ears. His mouth could not close and his neck was also tilted to one side.
He was subsequently taken to the USA on August 31, 2015, where he was admitted to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston, Massachusetts.
Although he underwent a number of surgical procedures, he still needs to undergo a lot more corrective surgery with yearly visits to the hospital overseas.
Her son had told her that he was burnt by his father. The woman had stated that she would regularly visit her son in school, buy his text books, and catered for his extra lessons.
Also testifying was witness Ravendra Singh. He attested to awaking on the night in question, after hearing screams. He ventured outside and saw the child sitting under a house with burns about his body.
Social worker Roxanne Pedro attached to the Burns Care Unit of the GPHC also testified to interviewing the lad whilst he was hospitalized and ascertaining how he got his injuries.
The matter is continuing.

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