Alex Leach KC and Isobel Thomas, instructed by Manchester CPS, delivered convictions following trial for the murder of 15 year old Jakoub Szymanski and the attempted murder of Katarzyna Bastek.
Following an 11-day trial at Manchester Crown Court, Suleman Altaf was convicted of planning and attempting the murder of his estranged partner, Katarzyna Bastek.
Suleman Altaf stabbed his former partner repeatedly, causing life threatening injuries, she was saved when her 15 year old son, Jakoub intervened to save her.
During the course of the struggle that followed, Suleman Altaf stabbed Jakoub Szymanski to the throat, killing him. He fled the address and travelled to the south coast.
Through analysis of his mobile telephones, the prosecution were able to prove that he had planned to cross the English channel in order to make his escape. He was intercepted by the RNLI, attempting to make a crossing in an inflatable dinghy. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum period of 30 years.