4 more years in jail for pensioner who killed, buried wife in unfinished bathroom

Godfrey Durant, who killed and buried his wife, Joan Durant, in their unfinished bathroom in 2012, will serve about four more years behind bars.

He was sentenced on Thursday by Justice Jo Ann Barlow in the Demerara High Court.

Initially indicted for murder, 75-year-old Durant pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, admitting that between June 26 and 28, 2012, at Melanie North, East Coast Demerara (ECD), he unlawfully killed Joan.

Durant said in his address to the Court that what took place 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,” the elderly man explained.

Notwithstanding, Justice Barlow started the sentence at a base of 21 years and deducted seven years for his early guilty plea.

The Judge then subtracted 10 years from the time the confessed killer spent in pre-trial custody, bringing Durant’s sentence to four years.

Attorney-at-Law Dexter Smartt represented the confessed killer, while State Counsels Latifiah Elliot, Marisa Edwards, and Simran Gajraj appeared for the

Media reports are that the woman went missing, and Durant told Police that his wife had packed her bags and left their home on June 26, 2012.

Not satisfied with the reason for the woman’s disappearance, her relatives lodged a missing person report, and an investigation was launched.

A visit to their home resulted in a stench and her body was discovered buried 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.

According to the pensioner, he grabbed his wife but she fell, hit her head on a concrete block, and became motionless. He then buried his wife and lied to her family about her whereabouts.