Syed Rafay Ahmad, 45, has been jailed for a minimum of 27 years and four months after stabbing his wife Anam, 36, 40 times at their home in Wythenshawe, Manchester, on January 27, following her request for a divorce.
Greater Manchester Police body camera footage shows Ahmad being arrested and, as he walked handcuffed to a police car, telling officers: "She attacked me." He added: "Self defence, self defence." The officer stopped him, saying: "You're under caution, so don't say anything."
Arrest on camera
He was placed under caution on suspicion of a section 18 assault before being put in the car. While officers searched him, Ahmad was asked where the knife was and replied: "Inside, kitchen I think."
Ahmad was initially arrested on suspicion of assault, but despite the best efforts of paramedics, his wife was pronounced dead at the scene. After the stabbing, he sent a message to his family's WhatsApp group and to Anam's father, saying: "I have killed my wife."
What the court heard
The court heard Anam was filling a water bottle at the kitchen sink when Ahmad launched the initial knife attack. She managed to flee and ran to a next-door neighbour's home for help, but collapsed outside the front door. Ahmad pursued her and continued the assault before calmly returning to the house.
Neighbours who rushed to assist Anam told jurors that Ahmad appeared to be smirking as he left his wife lying fatally injured on the ground. He then stood watching from an upstairs window before police officers arrived and arrested him.
Marriage background and sentencing
The couple entered into an arranged marriage when Anam was 16 and Ahmad was 26. Jurors were told Ahmad had been coercive and abusive towards his wife throughout the marriage. Anam eventually decided to end the marriage after falling in love with a man she had met through social media.
Ahmad initially claimed he had been suffering from a psychotic episode when he carried out the attack, but admitted his guilt during the third week of his trial. He changed his plea at Manchester Crown Court after three days of giving evidence.
Detective Inspector Neil Higginson said: "Anam's tragic death was a result of Ahmad's violent nature. This was a horrific, and cold-blooded attack, causing irreparable damage to a family, who were left to deal with the consequences of his actions." He added: "The sentencing passed today will ensure we keep a violent offender behind bars for a long time."
