A 53-year-old man who launched a savage attack on his estranged wife using a “murder kit” has been sentenced to 27-and-a-half years in prison for attempted murder at Manchester Crown Court.
Muhammad Khan, of Bernard Street, Rochdale, subjected his wife to what prosecutors described as a “brutal and ferocious attack” at her Rochdale home on 18 January this year. The horror unfolded when Khan arrived at the property under the pretence of collecting his belongings.
Instead of retrieving his possessions, Khan had come armed with weapons, bleach and white spirit, in what the court heard was a premeditated plan to murder his estranged wife. The victim endured a terrifying ordeal in which she was slashed across the neck with a Stanley knife, stabbed repeatedly with the blade, and beaten with a hammer.
During the vicious assault, Khan also strangled his wife with an exercise band and stabbed her 15 times, leaving her fighting for her life in her own home. The attack only ended when the victim’s family arrived at the property.
Family’s Heroic Intervention
The victim’s brother broke into the house and discovered Khan, who witnesses described as “smirking”, whilst his wife lay critically injured. The brave family member immediately restrained Khan as other relatives tried to lock him in the garage to prevent his escape.
Despite their efforts, Khan managed to flee the scene. Witnesses reported seeing him disposing of what prosecutors termed his “murderous kit” before police officers detained him shortly afterwards.
In a chilling display of callousness, Khan asked officers what the sentence was for murder and enquired how long he would spend in prison, showing no remorse for his actions.
Victim’s Powerful Statement
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Khan’s wife described the lasting trauma inflicted by the attack. The calculated and brutal nature of the attempted murder by my husband has left significant physical injuries and deep lasting psychological trauma,” she said.
This was not a crime of impulse, but deliberate, premeditated and planned. This was not an attack by a stranger, but by the person I should have been able to trust the most, somebody who was meant to protect me.”
The victim made a poignant request to her attacker in court, saying: “The only request I ask is that you declare the words ‘I divorce you’ in front of my family, to release me from this marriage. I hope after all I have endured, you can grant me this freedom.”
Impact on Children
The couple’s son provided a heartbreaking statement that laid bare the devastating impact on the family. “The last time you hurt Mama you said you would never do it again. I don’t understand why you have now,” the child stated.
In words that highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences of Khan’s actions, the son added: “If you killed her, we would be orphans. I never want to see you again.”
The court heard that the attack had scarred not only the victim but also their children, who must now live with the trauma of their father’s violence.
Premeditated Attack
The judge highlighted the calculated nature of Khan’s assault, noting the specific items he had brought to carry out his plan. This was a murderous kit you had bought specifically – the knife to attack her and the bleach to clean up afterwards,” the judge told Khan during sentencing.
The presence of bleach and white spirit indicated Khan’s intention not only to kill his wife but also to destroy evidence of his crime, demonstrating the cold premeditation behind the attack.
Defending barrister Ian McMeekin acknowledged the severity of his client’s actions, stating: “He knows himself that the behaviour was inexplicable and inexcusable.”
Sentencing and Domestic Violence Context
Khan received a sentence of 27-and-a-half years imprisonment for attempted murder, reflecting the extreme seriousness of the offence and the aggravating factors involved.
The case highlights the ongoing crisis of domestic violence in the UK, where controlling and abusive behaviour can escalate to life-threatening attacks. The victim’s statement emphasising that this was not an impulsive act but a planned assault underscores the dangerous patterns often seen in domestic abuse cases.
The court’s substantial sentence sends a clear message about the severity with which the justice system treats domestic violence, particularly cases involving premeditated attempts on a partner’s life.
The victim’s survival and her family’s quick intervention prevented what could have been another tragic domestic homicide. Her powerful testimony in court demonstrated remarkable courage in facing her attacker and seeking freedom from the marriage that had brought her such harm.
Khan, who showed no remorse during his arrest and even appeared to smirk during the attack according to witnesses, will serve his lengthy sentence knowing that his violent actions have permanently destroyed his family relationships.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence on victims, children, and entire families, whilst highlighting the importance of family support networks in potentially life-saving interventions.
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