“He really tried to kill me that day, I don’t know how I survived.” A domestic abuse victim has courageously spoken up after her former husband was jailed for attempted murder yesterday (26 March).
Mohammed Farooq, aged 55, showed no remorse at trial and was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court. He was also given an extended sentence, meaning he’ll be subject to recall for five years after his sentence ends, and a restraining order.
It comes as a small relief for Nusarat, aged 36, who suffered almost a decade of abuse at the hands of Farooq, culminating in the terrifying ordeal in April 2020.
Nusarat was attacked just off the busy High Street in Erdington by Farooq, who dragged her to the floor in front of their children and stabbed her eight times – in the head, neck, chest, and arms.
It was only thanks to fearless passers-by who leaped in to protect her that Farooq was forced off, with members of the public raining down blows to his head and body and even hitting him with a bicycle wheel to get him to stop. The four witnesses were commended at court yesterday and were credited with saving Nusarat’s life.
The attack came after Nusarat plucked up the courage to flee from Farooq’s abuse and seek shelter at a refuge with her children. He had begun directing his aggression towards her boys, and Nusarat says the attack left the youngsters, all aged under 10, scarred for life.
“Even to this day if they see a car which resembles their father’s they will start crying in the street, thinking he is coming to kill me,” she said.
“What kind of father does that to his children? I just wanted to leave him. He tried to kill me because I made a decision to keep my children safe. He is no father, he is a monster.”
Nusarat wants to go public with her experience as a warning to other victims of domestic violence.
“No-one should live with a monster like Farooq. They will end up killing you,” she said. “He is a very dangerous man and should spend the rest of his days in prison.”
Nusarat married Farooq after moving to the UK from Pakistan but quickly began feeling isolated and trapped by his violent and controlling behavior.
“I had no friends, I didn’t know the laws. He brainwashed me, I believed if I told anyone he would have my children taken away. For nine-and-a-half years he made my life a misery. He terrorized me day and night.”
Nusarat, who can’t speak English and has had her story translated for her by her support worker, recalls how Farooq would use her traditional neckpiece to choke her and would keep large knives under the bed, which he used to show her and threaten her with.
Describing one particularly brutal experience, she said: “He dragged me by my hair to the window and told me he would throw me out of it and bury me outside and no-one would care.
“There is no honor in killing, our religion gives us a right to have a divorce and be separated,” added Nusarat, who is a Muslim.
PC Lisa Monahan, from our Public Protection Unit, added: “Although Nusarat and her children now have a fresh start, she still lives in fear but wants to put the horrible ordeal behind her. “Hopefully the honesty and bravery that Nusarat showed in sharing her traumatic story can inspire others in similar situations to seek the help they need.”
Domestic abuse remains a key focus for the force and we’re committed to catching perpetrators.
We’d urge anyone who has suffered domestic abuse to contact us. You can also visit www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/domestic-abuse for support. However, if you do not feel comfortable contacting police there are many other agencies who can offer support and advice. Visit No Excuse for Abuse for more information.
In recent months a new scheme has also been developed by the Home Office. ‘Ask for ANI’ (Action Needed Immediately) enables victims of domestic abuse to access immediate help from the police or other support services, from the safety of their local pharmacy.
We urge anyone who is not feeling safe in their own home to seek help.