Aaisha Hasan murder, Newham: ‘Her murder has left her children without a mother’

“The grief and pain of losing someone so close to us is indescribable,” the family of a murdered mother has said after her killer was jailed.

Aaisha Hasan was murdered by her husband in a “frenzied” knife attack in May 2022.

Her husband, Asim Hasan, 33, of Burrard Road, Newham, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday (July 6) to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years in jail.

He was previously found guilty of murdering the 34-year-old in April, following a trial.

‘Grief and pain’

Aaisha’s sister said: “I cannot help but feel that a part of me has died with her. The grief and pain of losing someone so close to us is indescribable, and the fact that her murder has left her children without a mother only compounds our sorrow.

“Losing my sister to murder was a devastating experience, especially since it was committed by her own husband. The pain of losing a loved one in such a violent and brutal way has left me struggling to come to terms with my grief, feeling a mix of shock, anger, and disbelief. The sense of betrayal by someone who was supposed to be her partner and protector has only added to my pain, leaving me feeling a deep sense of injustice.

“The void that she has left in my life and in the lives of those who loved her will never be filled, but I will always carry her spirit with me, as a constant reminder of the love and light that she brought into this world.”

26 stab wounds

The court heard that Asim Hasan called 999 at 6.24am on May 19 2022 and told the operator he had stabbed his wife. He continued speaking to the operator while officers and the London Ambulance Service scrambled to the scene, telling them he was just waiting for police to come and arrest him.

When the emergency services arrived, they commenced with CPR, but despite their efforts, Aaisha was declared dead at the scene.

The post-mortem examination showed that Aaisha suffered 36 sharp force wounds, including at least 26 stab wounds.

Abusive behaviour

The jury heard that the couple were having relationship problems and there had been arguments about money and Hasan’s abusive behaviour.

Aaisha became so sufficiently scared of her husband that she began secretly recording his behaviour and messaged friends about her concerns.

Just 10 days before she was murdered, on May 9 2022, she messaged friends to say that the day before he had attacked her following an argument.

She added: “I don’t want to call the police on him coz this can get him into serious trouble, I just want him out the house now. I don’t feel safe.”

The following day, on 10 May, Hasan again started arguing with Aaisha. She secretly recorded his behaviour, where he was heard refusing to let her out of a room. He also threatened to pick-up a knife, with Aaisha telling him he would “kill her”.

A neighbour overheard the argument and police attended the address, but police said Aaisha appeared well and made no complaint, and so the matter was not taken any further.

In another recording made by Aaisha, Hasan began shouting at her and attacked her. She told him to leave the house, adding: “The next time you will kill me. The next time you will kill me. I don’t want that.”

Met Police investigation

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who led the investigation, said: “Hasan carried out a ferocious and savage attack on his wife, stabbing her at least 26 times. Aaisha had tried to defend herself during Hasan’s frenzied attack, but she did not stand a chance against him.

“Hasan had denied murdering Aaisha, claiming he had not intended to at least cause serious harm. Thankfully, the jury disagreed and recognised the fact that you do not carry out a sustained, brutal attack such as that without, at the very least, intending to cause serious harm.

“Domestic abuse is often a hidden crime and we know it remains significantly under-reported. For some people, home is not a safe place and many victims may be reluctant or fear asking for help.

“Our clear message to victims is to reach out to police or other support agencies and seek help – we will respond with sensitivity, and we will work with you to provide the appropriate support, whilst keeping you safe and dealing robustly with the perpetrator.”