Yahoo News 'Controlling bully' who strangled wife and stabbed her 49 times in front of young son jailed for life
An ‘arrogant, controlling bully’ who murdered his wife by strangling her and stabbing her 49 times in front of her son has been jailed for life.
Kema Salum, 39, will spend at least 23 years behind bars after pleading guilty to the murder of 35-year-old Leyla Mtumwa on 30 March.
Tanzanian Salum, who had a history of violence against an ex-wife, was living in Britain on a six-month visa after marrying Ms Mtumwa in east Africa.
On the night of the murder Salum fell into a ‘violent rage’ after becoming jealous that his wife had gone out with her female friends, the court heard.
He initially tried to strange Ms Mtumwa in their North London home, before breaking off and going into the kitchen to fetch a knife.
As her 12-year-old son screamed at him to stop, he stabbed her 49 times in the head, neck, body and arms.
Salum claimed he was acting in self-defence when he was arrested and ‘lied through his teeth’ to officers, the court heard.
He initially denied the charge of murder before changing his plea at the 11th hour.
The Old Bailey was told that Salum had been ‘extremely violent’ towards his ex-wife.
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Judge Richard Marks QC described the defendant as an “arrogant, controlling bully”.
He said: “This was a consistent attack of very considerable force which, although relatively short-lived, must have caused Leyla very substantial suffering before she died.
“Having started off attempting to strangle her you broke off, went to get a knife, and then resumed the attack.”
Members of the victim’s family could be heard saying ‘yes’ as the result came in.
