Man Strangles Girlfriend In Front Of Their Six Month-Old Daughter

A man who strangled his girlfriend in front of their six month-old baby, as he forced her head into a bowl of water used to cool the tot’s bottle, has been caged for life.

Basil Chawafambira, 36, (pic.bottom) used the straps of a nappy bag to throttle 21 year-old Czarina Baker (pic.top) at their flat in Hemans Street, Stockwell, South London.

He was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of the murdering Czarina on June 14, last year and was ordered to serve an eighteen-year minimum sentence.

The couple, who had been together five years, argued over the defendant’s reluctance to help with domestic chores and he had been violent towards Czarina.

Chawafambira tried to kill himself afterwards, but an overdose of sleeping pills simply made him excessively drowsy.

Three days later he 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.



Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning of the 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 today been found guilty of her murder.



“I would like to pay tribute to Czarina’s family, especially her mother and father, who now care for Czarina’s child.

“They have displayed great dignity at court while being forced to listen to lies about their daughter.

“I hope that his conviction will go some way in comforting them.”

The victim’s parents said in a statement: “Our daughter was a happy-go-lucky girl who enjoyed life to the full until she fell under the control of a man who was determined to control her life and every move.

“It has been distressing having to listen throughout the trial to Chawafambira who told complete lies about Czarina and her behaviour.

“He also showed no remorse at all even when he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

“As a result of Czarina’s murder we have assumed responsibility for the care of Czarina’s little girl, our grandchild.

“We try to be strong but still it’s hard to believe she has gone.”