20 years for man who set son alight

May 17, 2017 News

By Malisa Playter Harry

20 years in jail: Devendra Somwaru

A 35-year-old East Canje man was yesterday sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by Justice James Bovell-Drakes, in the Berbice High Court, for causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The act was committed on his son, who he set alight with methylated spirits two years ago, on May 7, 2015.

Devendra Somwaru of 133 Gangaram Village, East Canje, was recently found guilty of the aforementioned charge and not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder before a mixed jury in the High Court.

Justice Drakes at yesterday’s sentencing told Somwaru, that because of the extent of the burns received by the child, he accepted the doctor’s report on the injuries sustained. He further stated that he was saddened, because at no point in time during the trial did he (Somwaru) voluntarily admit that he was wrong, but instead made excuses.

The judge further noted that the child did nothing; he just wanted to be loved, but instead got burnt by his father who is supposed to care for him.

When the judge asked if it was his desire and resolution to quit consuming alcohol, Somwaru responded, “Yes Sir”.

Before reading the sentence to Somwaru, the judge made a call to the accused to make a change during the time he will be spending behind bars. He told Somwaru to consider himself lucky, since his actions could have resulted in the child’s death, with a stiffer penalty.

Somwaru, who conducted his own defence, had told the court that on the day in question he had returned home after imbibing. He said that he had poured methylated spirits underneath his kitchen sink where there were cockroaches when his 11-year-old son Rickey Somwaru, who was sitting not far away attempted to put out the fire with his hands, when the fire caught hold of him, burning him in the process.

The man and his son reportedly lived alone since the child had earlier lived with his mother, but after some infractions, he was sent to live with his father following a report by Child Care and Protection Agency.

The court heard that Somwaru was at home where he was drinking; he attempted to leave to purchase more alcohol but was prevented from doing so by his son. The man insisted on going but was again stopped. As a result, the elder Somwaru picked up methylated spirits and threw it on the child’s body and lit a match causing him to burn. The child reportedly ran to the kitchen area where Somwaru proceeded to kick his son who was on fire. Rickey Somwaru managed to escape and run to a neighbour’s yard where he was subsequently rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

In August 31, 2015, Ricky Somwaru was taken to the United States where he was admitted to the Shriners Hospital for Children. He went through a number of surgeries and still needs to undergo more corrective surgery.