Woman, 22, jailed for stabbing abusive mother to death in Acton

Aziza Bennis was found with stab wounds at a house in Boddington Gardens, Ealing

A woman has been jailed for nine years for stabbing her abusive mother to death at a home in west London.

Aziza Bennis, 58, was found in her own living room in Boddington Gardens, Acton, with more than 30 stab wounds on 15 August 2022.

Hanaa Bennis, 22, claimed she was acting in self-defence, alleging her mother had attacked her first.

She was initially charged with murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Judge Nigel Lickley KC said a number of things had aligned on the day of the killing including violence, being unwell, alcohol, and issues surrounding the defendant's daughter.

The police were called by neighbours who reported hearing screams of "please stop hurting me" and "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," along with objects being thrown.

The Old Bailey previously heard that the pair argued about the defendant's daughter on the day of the killing and that the defendant's mother had a long history of being abusive towards her.

'Get a life'

Before going to the home of the defendant's mother, the pair exchanged heated text messages, Hanaa Bennis's trial heard.

Hanaa Bennis texted her mother, "you made me hate my life", to which the mother responded, "get a life".

Both had alcohol in their system on the day of the attack, and Hanaa Bennis had been taking drugs in the days before.

The prosecution argued that Hanaa Bennis often drank to excess, went missing, and refused to engage with professionals.

• Woman killed abusive mum who said 'get a life'

During sentencing on Thursday, Judge Lickley KC said "the ferocity of the attack" proved the defendant's "intention to kill" but he noted her "shame and guilt".

The defendant claimed her mother was abusive to her throughout her life.

The court heard psychiatric reports and an interview with Bennis' sister supported her claims, alongside extensive social services records which described Aziza Bennis as "frequently violent, unpredictable and unstable."

'Black magic'

The defendant's sister said they were regularly beaten, their mother abused alcohol and on one occasion threatened them with a knife.

In mitigation, defence barrister Jeremy Dein KC, had told the court there was a "shocking" history of abuse, which involved beatings and black magic.

During sentencing, Judge Lickley said he considered the impact of complex PTSD, which was a result of "childhood trauma".

Hanaa Bennis was jailed for nine years, with a further five years to be served on extended licence.

The court heard she has six previous convictions, including assault and was subject to a community order for assaulting an emergency worker when the killing took place.