A woman has been spared jail despite brutally attacking her girlfriend and causing her to have blood 'pour from her mouth'. Liverpool Crown Court heard how Marwa Saleem, of Norton Street, in Radford, Nottingham, met Sharon Ward in February 2025 after contacting her on Snapchat. The pair appeared to be 'getting on well' and struck up a romantic relationship.
Attack Details
Saleem, 21, travelled from Nottingham to her then partner's home in Fazakerley, in Liverpool, to stay with her on March 22, 2025. The next day, the court heard Saleem launched into a brutal attack, strangling her and smashing her head against a wall. On Wednesday (May 27), the court heard the abuser was 'on the cliff edge of losing her liberty' as a result of the domestic violence. However, a judge instead told Saleem as she was spared prison: 'You could have no complaint whatsoever if I were to impose an immediate custodial sentence upon you. Do not make me regret it.'
Prosecution Case
Peter Killen, prosecuting, described how, shortly before 11.30am on March 23, Saleem was looking through Ms Ward's phone without issue. However, when her girlfriend then followed suit and attempted to access the defendant's device, she reacted by grabbing hold of the victim's neck and began to squeeze, leaving her struggling to breathe. Saleem was then said to have been 'angered further' when the complainant managed to kick her away, thereafter 'lunging' at her and placing both of her hands around her throat and continuing to strangle her.
She was subsequently given bail conditions by police ordering her not to contact her victim but, on June 9, 2025, returned to the flat, resulting in another argument. Having been asked to leave, Saleem refused to do so without her dog and again grabbed Ms Ward by the back of her neck before biting her to the thigh and hitting her head against the wall. She was then said to have attempted to drag her partner to the shower 'in panic' in order to wash away blood which was spilling from her mouth, during which time she was again 'thrown into a wall' and prevented from shouting from the windows and front door for help.
Victim Impact Statement
Ms Ward tearfully read a statement to the court during the hearing, visibly shaking in the witness box at times as she said: 'The abuse I experienced has deeply affected my emotional and mental wellbeing. I have lived in constant fear, fear of being hurt, fear of being watched and fear of not being believed, also fear of walking out of my flat and being attacked and killed.'
'The emotional scars are not visible, but they are the hardest to heal. I struggle with anxiety, depression and flashbacks. Simple things like loud noises or certain words can trigger panic attacks. I used to feel confident and independent, but the abuse made me doubt my worth and question my sanity. It has taken time and therapy to start rebuilding my sense of self and to remember that none of this was my fault.'
'The abuse left not only emotional wounds but also physical injuries. I have suffered so many blunt force bruises to every part of my body. This has affected every waking moment of my life. Even now, I still get pain in my head, back, legs and arms where Ms Saleem punched, slapped, bit, kneed me and jumped on me.'
'Even after the physical wounds healed, I continued to live with chronic pain and fear for my safety. I still look over my shoulder when I leave my home. I still wake up in the middle of the night, startled by nightmares. Domestic violence has changed every part of my life. I am losing my home, as I have to move for my own safety. I constantly check locks and doors before sleeping. My ability to trust others has been shattered.'
'The abuse didn't just affect me. It affected my family as my mental health became even more severe, and it felt like I was having a nervous breakdown. They have seen things that no family should ever see, their daughter and sister covered from head to toe in bruises and bite marks, and it happened time and time again.'
'Ms Saleem used me financially to buy drugs, alcohol, clothes and food, to look after and feed her dog and to get her phone fixed whenever she broke it, also to pay for train tickets whenever she wanted to go back to Nottingham. If she was in my flat, she always found ways of spending most of my money on things she needed and then, when the money was running out, she would suddenly realise she had to go back to Nottingham.'
'She even forced me to place some of my items into pawn so she was able to get her phone fixed and buy a train ticket home. She was using emotional blackmail. I eventually submitted and allowed this abuse to continue time and time again.'
'I have lost count of the hundreds and hundreds of pounds Ms Saleem has taken off me throughout the months I was in an abusive relationship with her. Rebuilding my life has been difficult, but I am determined to become independent and safe again.'
A highly emotional Ms Ward was thereafter unable to continue reading her statement, with Mr Killen then saying on her behalf: 'It was a pattern of control, intimidation and violence. I live in fear for my life.'
'She lived her life like the conditions didn't apply to her and left me fearing for the life of not just myself but friends, family and Blu, my emotional support dog, as many times I was threatened with her killing us all if I ever went to the police.'
'I am now asking the court to hold Ms Saleem accountable, not out of revenge but because I need to know that I am safe and that she cannot do this to anyone else. Me and Blu are working hard to heal, but the trauma does not disappear overnight. I hope the court recognises the lifelong impact of domestic violence and ensures justice and protection for victims like me.'
Defence Mitigation
Saleem, who has no previous convictions, also appeared emotional in the dock as Ms Ward's statement was read out. Emily Woodside, defending, told the court on her behalf: 'Your honour has seen character references for Ms Saleem. In my submission, they paint a different picture and give insight into the difficulties that she has faced in her own life, describing a different side of her, someone who is kind and caring.'
'She has experienced domestic violence at home. She was not accepted by her own family, due to her own sexuality, and was removed from home aged 15 and placed into a care home. She is someone who has had a complete lack of stability in her own life. She was placed into care, and her foster carer passed away recently.'
'Ms Saleem is someone with a history of mental health disorders. She has diagnosis of depression and anxiety. She is waiting for a diagnosis on post traumatic stress disorder.'
She added: 'Ms Saleem understands that she is on the cliff edge of losing her liberty. She has reflected on her own behaviour and knows that there is work to be done. Immediate custody, in my submission, would not address the entrenched issues in Ms Saleem's life. She requires structure and stability. With proper support, this could be the last of her offending.'
Sentence
Saleem admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation. Wearing a grey long sleeved shirt and with long dark hair and carrying her possessions in a suitcase and a holdall, she was seen to be in tears as she was handed a 27-month imprisonment, suspended for 30 months.
Sentencing, Recorder Michael Armstrong said: 'You could have no complaint whatsoever if I were to impose an immediate custodial sentence upon you. You have had a profound impact on the life of another young woman. I am prepared to give you a second chance to demonstrate that you have changed and can rebuild your life in a positive way.'
'Ms Saleem, I had to think about this for a very long time. This was absolutely on the threshold. Do not make me regret it. Make sure that you take the positive steps which must be taken to enable you to move on with your life.'
Saleem was also told to complete two years of supervision and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days. She will be subjected to a restraining order which will ban her from contacting Ms Ward indefinitely.
