Man gets five years for disfiguring wife

Jermaine King, who disfigured his common-law wife by dousing her with a corrosive substance, was yesterday sentenced to five years in jail after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge at the High Court, in Georgetown.

King, of 35 East Ruimveldt, was indicted on a charge which stated that on November 16, 2013, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Anchinalu Canning with intent to commit murder.

However, King, who was unrepresented, opted instead to plead guilty to the lesser charge of causing bodily harm, which was accepted by Justice Navindra Singh, who presided over the case.

In addressing the judge, the accused related that he was sorry for his actions, while adding that his wife is a lovely woman who is taking care of his children.

Police had said Canning had been coming out of her house when she was approached by King, who requested to speak with her. She obliged and followed him to his car but instead of talking King removed a container and threw its contents on the woman, who was burned to her face, arms and chest. King fled and was not apprehended until over six months after.

The state was represented by prosecutor Michael Shahoud.