A High Court judge has sent a strong message against domestic violence while sentencing a Fyzabad man for the killing of the mother of his son, saying society must understand that a woman is not the property of a man.

Justice Trevor Jones made the comments as he sentenced Vishal Birju for the 2020 killing of Gabriella Amanda Dubarry at her home in Avocat Village, after accepting a plea agreement that reduced the charge from murder to manslaughter by reason of provocation.

Birju, who was charged with murdering Dubarry at her Jebodhsingh Street home on January 9, 2020, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of provocation, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. The plea agreement was entered with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and accepted by the court.