Sophia man who set girlfriend on fire slapped with murder charge

A Sophia, Greater Georgetown resident, who was last month charged for the attempted murder of his girlfriend, was on Tuesday slapped with a murder charge, after the victim succumbed to her injuries.

Wazim Pereira allegedly lit his girlfriend on fire on October 10 during a dispute.
The 25-year-old man appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on the attempted murder charge; however, after the victim succumbed to her injuries, the file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice and the murder charge was recommended.
On Tuesday, the case was called before Magistrate McLennan and the new charge, which alleged that on October 10, 2019, at Sophia, he murdered Olivia Defreitas, was read to Pereira.
Reports are on October 10 at approximately 13:00h, Pereira visited Defreitas and requested to speak with her. However, when the woman refused, he went away.
It was reported shortly after leaving, Pereira allegedly returned with a container containing gasoline, which he reportedly threw on the woman and allegedly set her afire.
Reports are as the woman’s loud screams rang out, neighbours ran to her rescue. The woman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she was admitted and treated for second-degree burns to her face, chest, abdomen and back.
She, however, succumbed to her injuries just over a week later.
Pereira was remanded to prison and the case will continue on October 31.