REFERENCE is made to a Kaieteur News Article captioned, ‘Wife abuser heads to jail again’ (published on 12/10/10). According to the account, the abuser “regularly abused his spouse.” This means, plain and simple, that he is a serial type, who, it is reported, had served a three-week sentence and on his release threatened to kill his spouse. For this threat, he has been on a six-month sojourn.  

In other jurisdictions, the threat to kill is treated very seriously and with prompt action taken against the culpable.

Locally, it is not the same, as sadly, the experience has been that there have been many reports of such threats with no investigative action taken, only to result in the threat being made good. No disputing this.

In this referred-to case, a six month sanction is definitely too lenient for a habitual abuser, especially given the epidemic levels of this brutality relative to the current status quo.

I am no legal scribe, nor do I pretend to be one, but my layman’s understanding informs me that sentencing must reflect the gravity of the offence, albeit with discretion, taking into consideration mitigating factors, if any.

In cases where there is a repeat pattern, there ought to be the application of severity, giving the convicted enough time to reflect on his conduct.

This is the judicial action that ought to have been taken in this instant, thereby sending a strong message to the brutes! I am yet to read of a five-year sentence given in any of these instances, particularly where there is no intercession by the abused.

The law must be dispensed, reflecting the abhorrence of the crime.