A judge has sentenced Syed Ahmad, 45, to life imprisonment with a minimum of 27 years and two months for the murder of his wife Anam Rafay, 36, at their home in Wythenshawe. He killed her on the morning of January 27 after she told him she wanted a divorce. The attack left her with at least 40 stab wounds.
Manchester Crown Court heard that the couple had an arranged marriage when she was 16 and he was 25. Ahmad was controlling, abusive and violent towards Mrs Rafay over a number of years, including 'kerb-crawling' as she walked to work, taking control of her wages and repeatedly assaulting her.
Divorce and the final attack
In June last year, after falling in love with another man she met on social media, Mrs Rafay contacted a mufti - a divorce mediator - in Longsight to ask about obtaining a divorce application. She served that application on Ahmad in October. He asked for mediation, and she agreed to give him "one more chance to change", but he never did.
The night before her death, Mrs Rafay told Ahmad she wanted a divorce. The following morning, he attacked her with a large kitchen knife, repeatedly stabbing her. When she managed to get up and run to her next-door neighbour's house for help, Ahmad chased her and continued the frenzied attack. One neighbour saw him grab hold of Mrs Rafay's arm before stabbing her in the neck.
Arrest caught on body camera
After the attack, Ahmad was seen appearing to 'smirk' or 'smile'. He then sent a message to a family WhatsApp group and to Mrs Rafay's father, saying: "I have killed my wife." He was arrested at his home on Lulworth Gardens, Wythenshawe. Body camera footage from the arrest, released by Greater Manchester Police, was shown to the court during his trial.
The clip begins in the hallway of the couple's home. An officer shouts up the stairs to Ahmad, telling him to put his hands above his head. He is handcuffed as screaming is heard, and cautioned initially on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. Ahmad pleads: "Self defence, self defence. She attacked me." Minutes later, while being searched, he is asked where the knife is. "Inside... the kitchen, I think," he says.
Judge's sentencing remarks
Sentencing Ahmad, who dabbed at his eyes and nose with a tissue throughout the hearing, judge Suzanne Goddard KC said: "It's clear to me you could not accept the fact she was going to go through with the divorce, you were jealous she had another man. You decided that morning you could not tolerate the situation and you decided to kill her." She continued: "This was a sustained and brutal killing, she undoubtedly suffered pain and anguish. This was a brutal, deliberate and determined attack, you wanted to kill her."
The judge added: "You sought to exaggerate your mental health, and you told lies whilst giving evidence." She told him: "Put your tissue away from your eyes. I want you to look at me and listen to what I have to say." She handed Ahmad a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years and two months. As the sentence was handed down, clapping could be heard from the public gallery.
Police reaction
Detective Inspector Neil Higginson, from Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team, said: "My thoughts, firstly, remain with Anam's family and loved ones, who suffered an unimaginable loss as a result of Ahmad's actions." He added: "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."
"The sentencing passed today will ensure we keep a violent offender behind bars for a long time. I would like to thank the victim's family who have supported this investigation, and their strength throughout what is no doubt an incredibly difficult time, is no small feat. I would also like to thank all the members of the public who came forward to report to us and supported the victim at the time of the incident. Your reports are vital to our investigations, and played a huge role in helping us establish the full circumstances."
"Domestic abuse and violence has devastating and permanent consequences. We remain committed to bringing offenders before the courts and ensuring victims receive the protection and support they deserve."
