03/03/2011
Man Convicted Of Stockwell Murder
A man who killed his 21-year old partner in front of their six month old baby has been convicted of her murder at the Old Bailey.
36 year-old Basil Chawafambira attacked Czarina Baker in their flat in Stockwell on Monday 14 June last year.
A judge jailed him for life and ordered him to serve no less than 18 years' imprisonment.
The court heard how he strangled the young mother with the straps of a nappy bag whilst forcing her head into a bowl full of water used to cool the baby's bottle.
During the week-long trial the jury also heard the couple who had been in a relationship for five years, had argued about Chawafambira's failure to help with domestic chores. They also heard that Chawafambira had previously been violent towards Czarina.
After he killed Czarina, Chawafambira attempted to take his own life by taking an overdose of prescription pills but this failed.
Three days after the murder, Chawafambira walked into Brixton police station and confessed to the killing.
Officers went to the couple's flat where they found the young woman's body wrapped in a sleeping bag under a quilt.
Chawafambira was arrested and charged with Czarina's murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning, Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "Chawafambira had a history of violence towards Czarina. I suspect that she believed that this would stop with the birth of their daughter. Tragically this proved not to be the case. Czarina's murder was all the more cruel having been committed in the same room as her child."
"Chawafambira attempted to justify his actions by claiming provocation however the jury disagreed and I am pleased that he has been found guilty of her murder.”
(BMcN/GK)
36 year-old Basil Chawafambira attacked Czarina Baker in their flat in Stockwell on Monday 14 June last year.
A judge jailed him for life and ordered him to serve no less than 18 years' imprisonment.
The court heard how he strangled the young mother with the straps of a nappy bag whilst forcing her head into a bowl full of water used to cool the baby's bottle.
During the week-long trial the jury also heard the couple who had been in a relationship for five years, had argued about Chawafambira's failure to help with domestic chores. They also heard that Chawafambira had previously been violent towards Czarina.
After he killed Czarina, Chawafambira attempted to take his own life by taking an overdose of prescription pills but this failed.
Three days after the murder, Chawafambira walked into Brixton police station and confessed to the killing.
Officers went to the couple's flat where they found the young woman's body wrapped in a sleeping bag under a quilt.
Chawafambira was arrested and charged with Czarina's murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning, Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "Chawafambira had a history of violence towards Czarina. I suspect that she believed that this would stop with the birth of their daughter. Tragically this proved not to be the case. Czarina's murder was all the more cruel having been committed in the same room as her child."
"Chawafambira attempted to justify his actions by claiming provocation however the jury disagreed and I am pleased that he has been found guilty of her murder.”
(BMcN/GK)
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