A New Zealand family's life in the UK turned into a horrific nightmare when a relative launched a vicious hammer attack on them as they slept, with the entire assault captured on chilling CCTV footage.
The court heard how Hakeem Hakeem, 25, flew into a rage and armed himself with a hammer before entering a bedroom where his two relatives were sleeping. The disturbing video evidence, presented to Wellington District Court, shows Hakeem striking one victim multiple times on the head with the weapon.
The attack was so brutal that the handle of the hammer snapped from the force of the blows. One of the victims, a woman who cannot be named for legal reasons, described the lasting trauma in her victim impact statement, stating she now suffers from severe anxiety and struggles with trust.
"I can't sleep properly, I have bad dreams," she told the court. "I'm always looking over my shoulder. I don't feel safe in my own home."
Judge Peter Hobson condemned the premeditated nature of the assault, noting Hakeem had to first locate the hammer before carrying out the violence. The judge highlighted the extreme breach of trust and the vulnerability of the victims, who were asleep and defenceless.
Hakeem was ultimately sentenced to two years and five months in prison for what was described as a "cowardly" act of serious violence that has left lasting psychological scars on the family.
