A jealous husband who researched Islamic punishments for adultery before butchering his wife in a stabbing frenzy has been jailed for 20 years.
Shahab Ahmed, 35, flew into a fit of rage and murdered Khondkar Elahi at their flat in Parramatta, western Sydney in February 2017.
He went so berserk that the tip of his kitchen knife broke off when it struck her teeth as he plunged it into her face.
After the horrific attack, Ahmed posted on Facebook and smoked a cigarette before calling Triple Zero.
Ms Elahi was found dead in their apartment, her body stabbed 14 times.
Shahab Ahmed pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife of five-and-a-half years, Khondkar Faihi Elahi, in their Parramatta unit in February 2017 (pictured together)
Ahmed pleaded guilty to manslaughter claiming his judgement was clouded by depression – but his plea was rejected and he was tried for murder.
He was found guilty by a New South Wales Supreme Court judge and sentenced on Thursday to 27 years with a non-parole period of 20 years and three months.
Justice Monika Schmidt said: ‘That he broke off the tip of that large knife between her teeth when he stabbed her in the face may not be overlooked.’
She said Ms Elahi must have suffered a ‘terrifying and painful death’.
Ahmed’s sentence was backdated to his arrest, meaning he’ll be eligible for parole from May 2037.
During the trial in April, NSW Supreme Court heard how Ahmed demanded to see his cheating wife’s mobile phone on February 18.
He dragged her around the house before coming across recent messages and reached for a knife in the kitchen.
Justice Schmidt was told ‘he intended to kill’.
Prior to the attack, Ahmed had made inquiries ‘about the various punishments’ for infidelity under Islamic law and ‘had turned his mind to punishing his wife,’ the court heard.
Ahmed’s lawyer said the couple (pictured) met online and it was ‘not a marriage by arrangement, it was a marriage of love’
Defence barrister Avni Djemal said Ahmed accepted legal and moral responsibility for the death of his wife.
‘The accused’s case is that at the time… he was substantially impaired by depressive illness,’ Mr Djemal said.
Ahmed was said to be furious about Ms Elahi’s betrayal after she pursued a relationship with one of their mutual friends.
At Ahmed’s judge-alone trial, Omar Khan admitted to having an affair with Ms Elahi from July 2015.
Mr Khan said he’d known Ahmed since 1999 and the two men and their wives had built up a strong friendship – which saw the couples holidaying in Bangladesh together.
He got Ms Elahi a job but was visited at work by Ahmed in April 2015 and accused of causing marital problems.
At Ahmed’s judge-alone trial in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, Omar Khan (pictured) admitted to having an affair with Ms Elahi from July 2015
The Crown says at this time Ahmed expressed concerns to his GP of infidelity between his wife and Mr Khan.
Crown prosecutor Sean Hughes said: ‘There was kissing. Was it passionate kissing?’
‘That is correct, but not all the time, especially not when we are in public places,’ Mr Khan replied.
He said they held hands ‘quite often’ and exchanged gifts but did not have sexual intercourse.
Mr Khan on Tuesday said he’d received a phone call from Ahmed in September 2016, during which he stated: ‘I hope you’re happy. You can come over. I am leaving home.’
Ahmed’s lawyer said the couple met online and it was ‘not a marriage by arrangement, it was a marriage of love’.
He also said Ahmed’s reaction on the night of the stabbing was ‘out of character’.
Shahab Ahmed (pictured being arrested), 35, pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife