20 years jail for man who launched '˜frenzied' axe attack on former partner

A man has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for the attempted murder of his former partner who he attacked with an axe.

Arshad Latif, aged 34, of Haydon Road, Aylesbury, was found guilty by majority jury on 15 March after an eleven day trial at Reading Crown Court, of one count of attempted murder and by a unanimous verdict guilty of one count of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

On 16 August 2015 at around 2.10am, Latif went to a house in Eaton Road in Aylesbury and when the victim, a 29-year-old woman, opened the front door, he attacked her with an axe, causing injuries to her neck and back.

He then got into a car and left the scene.

The victim was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital for treatment. She had sustained a 7cm wound to her neck and six puncture wounds to her back as well as broken ribs and a bruised lung.

Medical staff said the victim was very lucky not to have been in a life-threatening condition as the injuries were so severe.

On the same day, Latif damaged a car which was parked in Oak Green, Aylesbury.

Latif was arrested by police on 2 September 2015. He was charged the following day

Today he was sentenced to 20 years’ in prison for attempted murder and three months’ imprisonment for criminal damage, to be served concurrently.

Investigating officer, Det Con Jayne Green from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit at Aylesbury police station said: “The injuries that Latif inflicted on his former partner were horrific, attacking her with an axe at her home. Fortunately, she survived the attack and is now rebuilding her life after Latif attempted to take it from her.

“I would like other women and men who are suffering from domestic abuse to know that there is help out there and that they can report what they are going through to specialist officers at Thames Valley Police. There is help and support available, and wherever possible, we will prosecute.”

Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “This case involved the attempted murder of a 29-year-old woman by her 34-year-old former partner, Arshad Latif, at her home in Aylesbury last August.

“At just after 2am on Sunday, 16 August 2015, Latif went to the woman’s home, armed with an axe, and when she opened the door he launched into a frenzied attack on her causing severe injuries to her neck and back, fractured ribs and a bruised lung. He then got into a car and fled the scene, later damaging a car parked in Oak Green, Aylesbury. The victim was taken to the Stoke Mandeville Hospital for treatment. There is no doubt that Latif intended to kill her. He is undoubtedly an extremely ruthless and violent man.

“Latif denied attempted murder and criminal damage, but was connected to both incidents by the tracking of his vehicle via CCTV, DNA, and expert evidence linking the axe, recovered from a nearby canal, to the injuries and damage. On 15 March 2016, at Reading Crown Court, he was found guilty of both offences, by a jury, after a 2-week trial, despite his denials.

“We have worked closely with Thames Valley Police since this investigation was launched and as a result of the hard work and diligence of the prosecution team, a just outcome has been achieved. The CPS and police are committed to protecting the public from violent criminals and will continue to vigorously prosecute all such offenders. Today’s sentence should act as a deterrent to others that domestic violence will simply not be tolerated in our communities.

“We know that nothing can undo what happened to the victim, but we hope that the conviction and today’s sentence bring her and her family at least a small sense that justice has been done. We also hope that the victim, who has shown great courage throughout this process, continues with her recovery. Our thoughts are very much with her at this time.”

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, there is help and support available to you. Domestic abuse is a crime. You do not have to put up with it.

Contact Thames Valley Police

* If domestic abuse is in progress, if you feel threatened, if you are in immediate danger, or it’s an emergency, call 999.It is an emergency when: a crime is being committed, there is a risk of injury, or a risk of serious damage to property.

* In a non-emergency, call 101, the Thames Valley Police 24-hour non-emergency number. Ask for your local Domestic Abuse Unit.

For information and advice about domestic abuse please go to http://thamesvalley.police.uk/newsevents/crprev-domabu