Nicolas Shawn Williams, who killed his former partner, Clarabel Johnson, in 2020, was sentenced to five years and 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to the crime.
The sentencing occurred on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the High Court in Demerara.
The court began with an 18-year baseline sentence but deducted three years for mitigating factors, reducing it to 15 years. An additional one-third, or five years, was subtracted for Williams’ early guilty plea. His time in custody—four years and one month since October 2020—was further deducted, leaving a final sentence of five years and 11 months.
The attack, which claimed the life of 28-year-old Johnson, occurred on the morning of October 9, 2020, near her family home at Lot 142 Cooper Street, Albouystown. Johnson, a mother of three, was walking near her house when Williams, from whom she had separated six years earlier, attacked her with a cutlass.
Eyewitnesses reported that Johnson was struck behind her right knee and on the back of her head. Neighbours rushed her to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Police arrested Williams later that day at James Street, Albouystown.
Johnson’s mother, Patricia Johnson, described her daughter as a hardworking vendor who supported her children despite enduring years of abuse, threats, and harassment from Williams.
“He had threatened to kill her just days before the attack, even though there was a restraining order in place,” Patricia Johnson said.
Nadira Persaud, the victim’s sister, revealed that Williams had previously assaulted Johnson, leaving her with injuries including nerve damage in her hand.
