A UK-based Zimbabwean nurse has been slapped with a life sentence afte suffocation her 2-year-old daughter after losing custody to her ex-husband.
A 30-year-old nurse from Hemel Hempstead has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years for the murder of her two-year-old daughter. Shilyrand Charigwati was convicted at Luton Crown Court following a harrowing trial that revealed she suffocated young Roselyn with a plastic bag in April 2024.
While Charigwati admitted to manslaughter, she denied murder charges, claiming mental health issues and having no memory of the fatal incident. Presiding judge Mrs Justice Heather Williams described the crime as “a shocking abuse of trust,” emphasizing the vulnerability of the young victim.
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Zimbabwean nurse sentenced for suffocating daughter after losing custody
The court heard how Charigwati’s separation from Roselyn’s father and subsequent loss of custody in late 2023 played a significant role in the tragedy. Prosecutors argued that while the defendant suffered from depression, her rational judgment remained intact at the time of the killing.
“Spousal revenge was a central part of your motivation,”
Justice Williams declared this noting the unusual level of anger Charigwati displayed toward her former partner despite previously being a devoted mother.
Father shares how heartbreaking the loss of his daughter has been
Roselyn’s father, Washington, delivered an emotional victim impact statement during sentencing, describing his daughter as his “little best friend” and the joy of his life. In a police-released statement, he remembered Roselyn as “joyful, funny, playful, beautiful, and so full of love.”
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“Every part of being her dad was amazing. I’ve been robbed of a future of beautiful moments, but she remains with me always,” Washington expressed.
Defense counsel Zoe Johnson KC highlighted the disturbing contradiction between Charigwati’s established loving nature and her violent actions. Neighbors had reportedly noticed the mother appearing “tired of life” in the days preceding the tragedy.
The Zimbabwe-born defendant, who came to the UK in 2010, showed symptoms of significant stress following her family breakdown. However, the court ultimately determined she acted with clear intent to kill her daughter.
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The post UK-Based Zimbabwean Nurse Gets Life Sentence For Suffocating Daughter After Losing Custody To Her Ex-Husband appeared first on iHarare News.
