Man who shot wife 12 times jailed for 22 years
A KwaZulu-Natal man who shot his estranged wife 12 times and threatened to kill their four-year-old daughter has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Ian Rawlins, 48, was sentenced in the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to the murder of his ex-wife, Delana, in May in the Ashburton area, Pietermaritzburg.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Rawlins told the court he attended a party with Delana on May 13.
They had gone shopping the day before and he bought her an outfit for the party.
Though they had divorced a month before, they were discussing reconciliation.
Rawlins said while at the party some male guests were talking about Delana being in a relationship with another man.
“This angered him and he confronted her, causing an argument which became loud and led to them being asked to leave the party,” RamkissonKara said.
“They left the party and he drove behind Delana.
“They stopped their cars at some point and he walked over to the other car, and he and Delana began arguing again.
“He demanded she return the clothes he bought her.
“As she was wearing the clothes he pulled on her top and pants.
“He said he walked away and then realised Delana had his house keys. So, he went back to the other car.”
Ramkisson-Kara said Delana refused to give Rawlins the keys, and he lost his temper and drew his firearm to threaten her.
Rawlins pushed the firearm through the car window, firing shots until the magazine was empty.
He handed himself over at the Alexandra police station.
In his plea, Rawlins denied his actions were premeditated but said they occurred in the heat of the moment due to his inability to control his temper.