Amir Khan, a 25-year-old Pakistani national with overstayer status, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the attempted murder of his wife, Madio Bano, at their home in Lozells, Birmingham. The attack, which occurred in November, involved Khan stabbing Ms Bano in the head with a screwdriver-like instrument, leaving her with catastrophic and permanent brain damage.
Attack Details and Aftermath
CCTV footage showed Ms Bano returning home with two children at 10pm. Within 32 minutes, she had been stabbed. Judge Dean Kershaw, presiding at Birmingham Crown Court, stated that Khan used such force that the weapon penetrated her skull and damaged her brainstem. Ms Bano now suffers from Locked-in plus syndrome, rendering her unable to communicate or even blink. The judge described her as being left 'as close to death as possible' and noted that she would likely die as a consequence of her injuries.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Khan was found guilty of attempted murder after changing his story multiple times and never admitting to the crime. He had no previous convictions. Judge Kershaw characterized Khan as 'cold, quite callous and someone who lacks empathy' for refusing to accept responsibility. Defence barrister Michael Duck KC acknowledged the attack as 'a single blow with tragic and appalling consequences' but conceded there was little to mitigate the violence.
Impact on Victim and Family
Ms Bano, a mother of four, was left in a coma following the attack and now has permanent brain damage. The 30-year sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the lasting harm inflicted on the victim and her family.
