Guyana: Judge Issues Domestic Violence Warning as Shaquawn Alleyne Receives 25-Year Sentence

The High Court in Guyana has sentenced Shaquawn “Iswe” Alleyne to 25 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Shonette Dover. Justice Sandil Kissoon emphasized the severity of domestic violence and the actions taken by Alleyne following the incident, which included the burial of Dover’s body and misleading her family about her whereabouts.

During the sentencing, Justice Kissoon described the murder as “grave and heinous,” noting that it occurred during a domestic dispute in Dover’s home and in the presence of her younger sister. The judge pointed out that Alleyne did not seek assistance after the shooting but instead attempted to conceal the crime. He buried Dover’s body behind his residence in Canvas City, Wismar, while her relatives were left unaware of her fate.

Alleyne’s actions created a false narrative that Dover had simply disappeared, misleading both her family and the public for an extended period. The court also noted that Alleyne fled to Suriname instead of reporting to authorities. He was later apprehended by Surinamese officials and returned to Guyana to face charges.

Before the sentence was delivered, Alleyne expressed remorse in court, stating, “Today I’m standing here before you all to take accountability for my actions.” He requested forgiveness from Dover’s family, claiming he never intended to cause harm and that fear influenced his decisions after the shooting.

Despite his apology, Justice Kissoon found no mitigating factors that would justify a lesser sentence, aside from the reduction for an early guilty plea. The judge initially set a sentence of 37 years and six months but reduced it by one-third, resulting in the final sentence of 25 years. Alleyne will receive credit for the time he has already spent in custody.

The case dates back to April 2021 when Dover was reported missing. Investigators later discovered her body, which had a gunshot wound to the head, buried in a shallow grave. Evidence indicated that Dover’s then 15-year-old sister assisted in the concealment of the body and was subsequently charged as an accessory after the fact of murder. The case has garnered significant public attention due to its disturbing nature and the involvement of a minor.

Justice Kissoon concluded by stating that the courts must continue to send a strong message regarding domestic violence, which remains a critical issue in society.

Source: hgptv.com