A violent husband attacked his wife five separate times after she asked him for a divorce, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Samad Hussain, 32, of Ralph Road, Alum Rock, pushed his estranged partner down the stairs, pulled her hair, kicked, punched and slapped her, as well as smashing her phone in a series of violent incidents.
On one occasion, Hussain told her she was 'lucky I'm with you' amid a torrent of verbal abuse. He even continued to attack her while on bail. Hussain ultimately admitted five counts of assault, one offence of criminal damage and a count of possessing cannabis.
Campaign of abuse after divorce request
The couple had been married two years by August 5 last year when the victim went to Hussain's home to obtain a signature for divorce papers. However, he smashed her phone with a hammer and then kicked her. Later that month, on August 12, they had another row about divorce, which led to Hussain pushing the woman down the stairs.
In a later incident, they were drinking together and afterwards Hussain spat at her and called her a 'slag'. On October 23, the victim asked for a divorce again, but Hussain told her she was not allowed to leave, slapped both sides of her face and pulled her hair. He also briefly locked her between the front door and porch door.
Verbal abuse and further violence
Prosecutor Ibrahim Ilyas told the court Hussain verbally abused his wife, calling her a 'dinosaur' as well as boasting 'You're lucky I'm with you'. When police arrested him on that occasion, he was found with two bags of cannabis.
There was a further violent incident on New Year's Day, January 1, when the victim was again at Hussain's address. Mr Ilyas said: "He became angry and began verbally abusing her, accusing her of cheating and he called her a 'whore'." Hussain became 'jealous' at thinking she was talking to another man on the phone when in fact she was speaking to a younger relative.
The prosecutor said Hussain punched her to the face, took her phone and left the room. The victim began packing her belongings when Hussain apologised, telling her 'Happy New Year, I'm sorry'. But he then demanded she get out of his home.
Final attack and sentencing
Hussain continued to send his wife abusive messages and voice notes. Things culminated on January 19 after he called her up saying he and his mother missed her. Again the victim went to his address, but Hussain became angered once more after she took a selfie.
Mr Ilyas said: "He ordered her to get out. As she went to leave Mr Hussain took her phone from her and shouted 'get in the room', dropping her on the bed shouting and swearing at her throughout. As she stood up he punched her to the wall. She hit her head on the corner of the radiator. She was screaming as she experienced instant pain. Her head was bleeding. The defendant said 'I'm sorry let me take you to the hospital'."
The victim went to Heartlands Hospital where she received seven stitches to the wound on her head. Hussain was arrested the next day but denied the attacks.
Defence and sentence
Esther Berry-Benton, defending, stated he had expressed 'deep regret' for his actions, saying: "He understands he has dealt with everything in the worst possible way and he needs help. 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."
The barrister added his mental health had been impacted by a car accident in 2022 which had caused him injuries and restricted his ability to work.
Judge Peter Carr, passing sentence, said: "I'm afraid that catalogue of offending and repeated offending on bail means only an immediate custodial sentence is warranted." Hussain was jailed for two years and banned from contacting his victim indefinitely under a restraining order.
