21 years for man who tried to kill wife

22 March 2019, 14:17 | Updated: 22 March 2019, 14:18

An estranged husband who subjected his wife to a campaign of violence and abuse has been jailed.

54-year-old Farhad Abdullah of no fixed address stole his former partner’s dog and assaulted her in the street because of how she was dressed before stabbing her with an ornamental dagger in Wythensawe in June 2018.
Today at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square he was sentenced to 21 years in prison after previously being found guilty of attempted murder.
He will be required to serve a further five years on licence after being released.
The couple were married 17 years before separating because of Abdullah’s controlling behaviour.
On 6 May 2018 Abdullah barged into her home on Wynward Road, Wythenshawe and threatened to kill his 50-year-old ex-partner.
He stood behind her while sharpening a kitchen knife before stealing her dog and her house keys.
Later that month he visited the address again and threatened to kill her.
On 16 June 2018 the woman was sat in a car in-putting an address into the sat nav before Abdullah appeared.
He dragged her out of the vehicle shouting: ‘Where are you going dressed like that?’ before she managed to break free and locked herself inside her property.
Two evenings later, Abdullah was seen driving around the area in a black VW Touragh before waiting in the dark for his ex-partner.
Before she was able to get into her house, he walked towards her, snatching the phone from her hand and then produced a knife from behind his back.
He lunged towards the woman’s stomach, but she managed to block the blow with her left arm, causing two deep wounds that needed seven stitches.
Abdullah shouted ‘I’m going to kill you’ before raising the knife up and thrusting it down, puncturing her skin above the collar bone.
Passers-by saw the attack taking place and chased Abdullah before police detained him on neighbouring Broadoak Road.
In his possession was found the victim's phone and a pair of handcuffs. On the ground next to where the lay was a small ornamental dagger with a curved sharp point.
Abdullah’s car was found nearby. Inside the vehicle was discovered a brown wooden-handled machete.
He was arrested and said he’d been living in his car 200 metres from wife’s address.
He denied threatening to kill her and all the previous assaults. He also claimed the knife had been planted on him by the bystanders who intervened and said his wife’s blood was on the knife because she was ‘very clever and could have put it there’ to incriminate him.
Detective Constable Lucia Barnes of GMP’s City of Manchester Division said: “Abdullah is a cowardly and manipulative individual who pursued a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation towards those closest to him.
“His controlling behaviour led to the breakdown of his relationship, as well as a restraining order that he chose to ignore while subjecting his former partner to a terrifying ordeal.
“She has exhibited extreme bravery throughout. She recognised her partner’s coercive behaviour and took steps to protect herself and her family.
“This is the first and often hardest step in escaping domestic abuse and we commend her courage.
“Abdullah’s abhorrent behaviour culminated in an extremely serious and prolonged assault with a knife.
“We’re very thankful to the good Samaritans who came to her aid while she was being attacked.
“Their actions not only helped save her from further injury, but assisted police in apprehending a violent offender.
“We hope today’s sentence offers a form of closure for her, now that her assailant is behind bars.”
• People in Greater Manchester are encouraged to get comfortable talking about domestic abuse in all its forms including coercion and control thanks to the ‘Sitting Right with You’ campaign. The initiative is designed to get people thinking differently about domestic abuse and encourages victims or concerned friends and family to take that first step towards help and support. For information and support visit www.sittingrightwithyou.co.uk
• Anyone who feels that they are being abused by a partner, ex-partner or a family member can approach their GP or nurse for help.
• The Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline is available to offer support for victims on 0161 636 7525 - Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm (excluding bank holidays). Alternatively the National Domestic Violence Helpline is available on 0808 2000 247 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• To report domestic abuse to the police, please call 101 or contact us via the LiveChat facility on the GMP website: www.gmp.police.uk. Always call 999 in an emergency