Man Given Life For Stabbing His Ex-Wife To Death In Wolverhampton
3 September 2014, 10:20 | Updated: 3 September 2014, 10:31
A man who stabbed his estranged wife to death in Wolverhampton is starting a life sentence for her murder.
Suhail Azam, from Newhampton Road East in Whitmore Reans, was told yesterday at Stoke Crown Court he must serve at least 17 years behind bars for killing his 35-year-old wife, Kanwal Azam, on 29 March.
The 54-year-old had pleaded guilty last month Stafford Crown Court to murdering Kanwal, whose body was found in her home in Ingelby Gardens.
Officers went to the address following a call from a concerned friend of Kanwal’s, who had received a phone call from her, during which Suhail could be heard in the background. The friend then heard Kanwal screaming before the phone disconnected, at which point he called the police.
“We responded to the call immediately but unfortunately, when we arrived at Kanwal’s home address, she had been stabbed numerous times and was already dead," said Detective Inspector Justin Spanner from the force’s homicide department.
He added: “Due to the phone call made shortly before she died, Suhail became our number one suspect and we immediately went to find him. He was located in the back garden of his home address and was arrested on suspicion of murder."
An investigation was launched where it was discovered that Kanwal had recently begun divorce proceedings against Suhail, who had gone to see her on the day of her death to talk about access to their three children - aged between three and ten.
Suhail arrived at the property and arranged for the two youngest children to go to a family member’s house, while the eldest child was out playing with friends. There was then an argument between the former couple, during which Suhail stabbed Kanwal to death.
Det Insp Spanner said: “It is our belief that Suhail went to the address with the express intention to kill his estranged wife after receiving a solicitor’s letter from her outlining access to the children.
“Thankfully, he had the sense to make sure that his children were not present during the attack, but they have understandably been left devastated by what has happened.
“It will be a long road to recovery for them and we hope that journey can now begin for them, safe in the knowledge that their father will be locked up for a very long time.
“We are satisfied with the sentence handed to Suhail Azam, which reflects the serious nature of the offence. Our thoughts go out to Kanwal’s family in Pakistan, her friends in this country and obviously her young children, who continue to be supported by our specially trained officers."