Husband jailed for 'frenzied' murder of woman

Salam Alshara was made "timid and withdrawn" by her husband, a court hears

A man who murdered his wife in a "persistent and frenzied" attack at their home in West Yorkshire has been jailed for life.

Wahib Albaradan murdered Salam Alshara, 27, at the house on Dearnley Street, Dewsbury, on 19 November 2023 following an argument.

The 37-year-old used three bladed weapons to cause the mother-of-four at least 20 injuries, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Albaradan spent more than a year denying he had murdered his partner, admitting the killing on the day his trial was due to begin.

He was told he would serve a minimum jail term of 19 years and six months.

The prosecution said a full baby bottle found at the point where the attack started suggested she had been feeding their baby when Albaradan attacked her.

Judge Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, said: "You were a jealous and controlling husband who bullied, threatened and manipulated her as a result of that jealousy."

Wahib Albaradan will serve a minimum jail term of 19 years and six months

Albaradan fled after the murder and discarded two kitchen knives and a razor blade, the court heard, with the weapons never recovered.

He removed all methods of phoning for help at the property before leaving, the sentencing was told.

He was arrested in the early hours of the following morning after a large police manhunt.

Judge Kearl said Albaradan had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, but this did not substantially impair his understanding of what he was doing.

He became increasingly paranoid that Ms Alshara was "dishonouring" him by talking to other men and disapproved of her installing messaging apps on her phone, the court was told.

Albaradan arrived in the UK from Syria in 2020, with Ms Alshara and their children arriving the following year.

The judge said forensic evidence suggested she had tried to fight back, but the attack was "prolonged, persistent and frenzied".

The attack took place in Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, in late 2023

The couple's neighbour said Albaradan was "always there, leaning over her all the time, hovering over her", the sentencing heard.

In a message to her brother, read out in court, Ms Alshara said: "I told [Albaradan] I don't want this life, full of suspicion and mistrust.

"If you want to live with me, I want to be treated like any other woman."

Her brother said Albaradan would call her every 15 minutes and constantly track her movements.

In statements read out in court, Ms Alshara's family described life as "unbearable" and "full of sadness" since her death.

"Not only did he kill my daughter, but he also killed me as well," her mother wrote.

Her brother said: "We suppress our grief and anger in front of our own children and try and do happy things for them even though it is beyond our strength.

"Since the offence was committed, there is nothing but sorrow in the family."

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