Asylum seeker who killed London student locked up indefinitely

A man who stabbed to death a 19-year-old student in London has been locked up indefinitely.

Maher Maaroufe stabbed his 19-year-old girlfriend Sabita Thanwani in the neck with a knife at around 5am on March 19 2022.

He attacked her in her University of London accommodation in Clerkenwell, with the wound inflicted almost decapitating her.

Tunisian-born Maaroufe, 24, had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility because he was suffering from schizoaffective disorder.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating an emergency worker.

On Monday, Judge Nigel Lickley KC sentenced him at the Old Bailey to a hospital order without limit of time.

He told the defendant: "Sabita had her whole life ahead of her. You ended her life.

"You actions will continue to cause enduring pain and suffering."

Judge Lickley said Maaroufe carried out the attack during the "height" of a psychotic episode.

He said Maaroufe had been "aggressive" and "controlling" towards Ms Thanwani during their relationship and hit her at least once, adding that this behaviour may have been part of his "emerging illness".

The court heard that Maaroufe entered the UK legally on an unknown date but had overstayed and was in the process of claiming asylum at the time of the attack.

He was found by police asleep under a tarpaulin in a garden shed and headbutted an officer while being arrested, the court heard.

Ms Thanwani, an aspiring psychologist, was described as a "hardworking, conscientious, kind and caring young woman".

Detective Inspector Jonny Newell said:

“Sabita’s family have been devastated by her loss and our thoughts remain with them at this time.

“It is heartbreaking that a young woman has lost her life because of the violent actions of one man and we are pleased he has faced justice.

“Our New Met for London plan makes clear that the entire organisation is committed to improving the safety of women and girls and our officers are using all the tools at their disposal to do this.”

A statement issued by Sabita’s family said:

"There is no escaping the grief and pain of a loss so great, it is almost, unspeakable, but we must speak. We must speak on behalf of our beloved, Sabita. Our speech will take the form of action as we have set up a charity in Sabita’s name. The charity will be a reflection of what Sabita had hoped to achieve in her life, dedicated to helping others. The focus will be on gender equality education and the protection of vulnerable girls and women. This is our goal to ensure Sabita’s senseless murder does not extinguish the beautiful light of hope that she shone so brightly throughout her short life.

"It is a time to grieve and that time may never truly end, but we will endeavour to find the strength and courage to move forward and we will remain forever grateful and awestruck that such a particularly beautiful, gentle soul was ours to hold and to love, even if it was for a heartbreakingly brief time."

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