Man stabbed wife 40 times after she tried to leave him

A controlling and abusive husband who stabbed his wife 40 times after she told him she wanted a divorce has been jailed for life.

Syed Rafay Ahmad, 45, attacked Anam Rafay, 36, with a kitchen knife in their home in Lulworth Gardens in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester on the morning of 27 January.

He then sent a message to his family's WhatsApp group, as well as to Anam's father, saying: "I have killed my wife."

Ahmad, who denied murder but dramatically changed his plea at Manchester Crown Court after three days of giving evidence, has been jailed for a minimum of 27 years and four months.

The court heard Anam had been filling up a water bottle at the kitchen sink when her husband first attacked her with the knife.

She managed to escape and ran to her next-door neighbour's house for help but collapsed outside the front door.

Ahmad followed her and continued the attack before calmly walking back to his house, the court heard.

Neighbours, who had rushed to Anam's aid, told the court how Ahmad appeared to be smirking as he left his wife dying on the floor.

He then watched from the upstairs window of the house before officers arrived and arrested him.

The couple had an arranged marriage when she was 16 years old and he was 26.

Jurors were told Ahmad had been controlling and abusive to his wife throughout their marriage.

Anam finally decided to leave the marriage after falling in love with a man she had met on social media, the court heard.

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.

Det Insp Neil Higginson, from Greater Manchester Police, said 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.

"I would like to thank the victim's family who have supported this investigation. Their strength throughout what is no doubt an incredibly difficult time is no small feat.

"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."

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