Samad Hussain, 32, of Ralph Road, Alum Rock, has been jailed for two years after admitting five counts of assault against his wife, whom he attacked after she requested a divorce. Birmingham Crown Court heard that Hussain, who had never been in a romantic relationship before meeting his partner—17 years his senior—turned verbally and physically abusive when she tried to leave him.
Pattern of abuse and repeated assaults
Prosecutor Ibrahim Ilyas told the court that Hussain's wife endured a series of attacks over several months. In one incident, he pushed her down the stairs; in others, he pulled her hair, kicked her, punched her, and slapped her. During a torrent of verbal abuse, Hussain told his wife, 'You're lucky I'm with you,' according to Ilyas.
The couple had been married for two years, but the victim wanted to separate. On August 5 last year, she went to Hussain's home to ask for his signature on divorce papers. Hussain responded by kicking her and smashing her phone with a hammer. Later that month, on August 12, he pushed her down the stairs following another divorce-related argument.
Further attacks and cannabis possession
In October, the pair drank alcohol and spent the night together, but afterwards Hussain spat in her face and called her a 'slag'. When she again asked for a divorce, he slapped both sides of her face and pulled her hair. On January 1, a 'jealous' Hussain punched his wife to the face. The most serious attack occurred on January 19, when he punched her again, causing her to hit her head on the corner of a radiator.
Hussain also admitted to possessing cannabis and causing criminal damage to his wife's phone. Judge Peter Carr, passing sentence, told him: 'I'm afraid that catalogue of offending and repeated offending on bail means only an immediate custodial sentence is warranted.'
Defence arguments and sentencing
Hussain's barrister, Esther Berry-Benton, told the court that his mental health had been impacted since a car accident in 2022, which left him with injuries restricting his ability to work. She said: 'He has not been in a romantic relationship prior to that with the complainant. She is 17 years his senior. He is clearly an individual who is faced with challenges in life and relationships. He lacks the appropriate tools to constructively respond. In the absence of those tools alcohol and cannabis have stepped in to fill the void.' Berry-Benton added that Hussain accepted he dealt with everything in the 'worst possible way'.
Hussain was jailed on August 11 after pleading guilty to all charges. West Midlands Police have released his custody photo following the sentencing.
