A Bradford man has been found guilty of attempted murder after stabbing his wife 69 times in what prosecutors described as a “frenzied attack”.
Hasnain Shafiq, 23, of Warnford Grove in the Holme Wood area of Bradford, carried out the knife attack at the couple’s home after his wife told him she intended to leave him.
During the trial, jurors heard that Shafiq armed himself with a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed his wife in the face, neck, chest, back and arms.
The victim told the court she was left “covered in blood” and tried to stop the bleeding by pressing a blanket against a wound on her chest.
She survived the attack after Shafiq eventually called emergency services at her request. During the call he told operators that she had stabbed herself.
The incident followed an argument between the couple on 27 January last year after the victim confronted Shafiq about his cocaine use. Text messages shown to the jury included a message from Shafiq that read: “You ain’t leaving.”
Prosecutor Mark Kellet told the court the attack was fuelled by cocaine and rage after the victim said she wanted a divorce.
Shafiq denied attempting to kill his wife and claimed the injuries were self-inflicted.
However, Judge Jonathan Rose told the defendant he had been convicted “on overwhelming evidence of one of the most grave crimes in the criminal calendar”.
The judge described the incident as a “vicious attack” in which Shafiq deliberately armed himself with a knife before repeatedly stabbing his partner in an attempt to kill her.
During the hearing, Shafiq grinned while the judge outlined the seriousness of the offence, prompting the judge to rebuke him.
“I see you grinning,” Judge Rose told him. “I do not myself see what is humorous, but I will of course make a note that you find this amusing.”
Judge Rose said the case represented a particularly serious example of attempted murder and warned that there was no alternative to a lengthy prison sentence.
Sentencing was adjourned until 5 May to allow reports to be prepared assessing the danger Shafiq may pose to the public and any future partners.
The judge said the court would consider whether to impose an extended sentence or a life sentence.
Following the conviction, Detective Constable Alexandra Rodley of Bradford District CID described Shafiq as a “callous and selfish individual” who showed no remorse.
She praised the victim for her courage throughout the case and said she was “very lucky to be alive”.
West Yorkshire Police said it treats all cases of domestic abuse extremely seriously and urged victims to report incidents.