George Gulliver, called “Papa George,” was sentenced to nine years in jail yesterday for killing his common-law wife Bibi Fazila Ali.
Gulliver, 63, who was charged with murdering Ali but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, was sentenced yesterday by Justice Brassington Reynolds in the High Court.
Ali died in June 2009, days after she was attacked by Gulliver at their Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara apartment.
Gulliver is currently suffering from glaucoma in both eyes and Justice Reynolds told him that he considered his health, age, children and his guilty plea. Although the starting point for sentencing was 20 years, a total of 11 years was deducted.
A probation report was also presented to the court and it described Gulliver as a physically and mentally violent person, who used to consume alcohol regularly.
Gulliver told the probation officer that on the day of the attack, he was under the influence of alcohol and he and Ali had an argument, followed by a scuffle. He said he could not recall what happened after the scuffle.
But in handing down his sentence, Justice Reynolds noted that Ali’s death was as a result of a brutal attack “when you jumped on her back… [and] disfigure her….”
He also told Gulliver that he, like so many other men in the country, succumbed to the affliction of alcohol and that it was a real pity that he allowed himself to become one of its victims.
Attorney Collis Baveghems, who represented Gulliver, said in his mitigating plea that his client was remorseful for his actions and he was fully aware of the consequences. While Baveghems stated that Gulliver was a religious man who was active in the church, Justice Reynolds said pointedly: “You said you are remorseful; it is a pity that your religion did not drive you in another direction.”
Baveghems also said that both Ali and Gulliver consumed alcohol on the day of the incident and based on all these factors, he begged the court to show leniency to his client.
In rebuttal, Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar, who presented the state’s case along with Natasha Backer, said the case was one where aggravating factors were present and a message needed to be sent to others to serve as a deterrent.
