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Birmingham taxi stabbing: Man admits murdering partner | Birmingham taxi stabbing: Man admits murdering partner |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A man has admitted murdering his partner as she tried to escape from a Birmingham taxi. | |
Natasha Trevis, 22, of Weoley Castle, died at the scene in Northfield on 7 August after being stabbed 26 times during a row over an abortion. | |
Junior Saleem Oakes, 28, of Dimsdale Road, Northfield, was jailed for life by a Birmingham Crown Court judge and must serve at least 22 years. | Junior Saleem Oakes, 28, of Dimsdale Road, Northfield, was jailed for life by a Birmingham Crown Court judge and must serve at least 22 years. |
Miss Trevis and Oakes had two young daughters and a baby son. | Miss Trevis and Oakes had two young daughters and a baby son. |
The attack took place five days after a social worker let slip Miss Trevis had aborted a fourth child. | The attack took place five days after a social worker let slip Miss Trevis had aborted a fourth child. |
'Savage attack' | 'Savage attack' |
Oakes stabbed her in the head, face, neck, chest, back and legs as she tried to get away, the court heard. | Oakes stabbed her in the head, face, neck, chest, back and legs as she tried to get away, the court heard. |
The taxi driver and other members of the public witnessed the attack. | The taxi driver and other members of the public witnessed the attack. |
While on remand Oakes was reported to have said he "killed his missus because she had killed one of their kids", the court heard. | While on remand Oakes was reported to have said he "killed his missus because she had killed one of their kids", the court heard. |
Judge William Davis QC told Oakes: "I described the attack as savage because you inflicted 26 separate wounds with a knife - many of them required severe force, and many of them were inflicted from behind. | Judge William Davis QC told Oakes: "I described the attack as savage because you inflicted 26 separate wounds with a knife - many of them required severe force, and many of them were inflicted from behind. |
"This young woman was either turning her back on you or trying to escape. | "This young woman was either turning her back on you or trying to escape. |
"She did escape from the taxi but you chased her and continued the attack even as she tried desperately to save herself." | "She did escape from the taxi but you chased her and continued the attack even as she tried desperately to save herself." |
'He's stabbing me' | 'He's stabbing me' |
Prosecutor David Matthew said the murder was committed on the morning of Oakes's 28th birthday. | Prosecutor David Matthew said the murder was committed on the morning of Oakes's 28th birthday. |
Mr Matthew said the taxi had been called to take Miss Trevis to her mother's home, but Oakes joined her hoping to get a lift to a different address. | Mr Matthew said the taxi had been called to take Miss Trevis to her mother's home, but Oakes joined her hoping to get a lift to a different address. |
According to eyewitness evidence from the taxi driver, Oakes launched his attack after becoming abusive and refusing to get out of the car. | According to eyewitness evidence from the taxi driver, Oakes launched his attack after becoming abusive and refusing to get out of the car. |
Quoting the driver's statement, the prosecutor told the court that Oakes had claimed that Miss Trevis was a "disgrace" for aborting his child. | Quoting the driver's statement, the prosecutor told the court that Oakes had claimed that Miss Trevis was a "disgrace" for aborting his child. |
The driver then heard Miss Trevis screaming and shouting, "He's stabbing me, he's stabbing me". | The driver then heard Miss Trevis screaming and shouting, "He's stabbing me, he's stabbing me". |
The driver took off his seatbelt and saw Miss Trevis being chased outside the vehicle and stabbed again. | The driver took off his seatbelt and saw Miss Trevis being chased outside the vehicle and stabbed again. |
Learning difficulties | Learning difficulties |
Mr Matthew said social services were involved with the couple and Oakes was no longer residing at the family home by the time of the murder. | Mr Matthew said social services were involved with the couple and Oakes was no longer residing at the family home by the time of the murder. |
The judge said Miss Trevis was "a good young mother" to her children aged three, two and one. | The judge said Miss Trevis was "a good young mother" to her children aged three, two and one. |
He said: "All of [your children] will grow up knowing that their father killed their mother." | He said: "All of [your children] will grow up knowing that their father killed their mother." |
Oakes, who has learning difficulties and is illiterate, has a record of domestic violence. | Oakes, who has learning difficulties and is illiterate, has a record of domestic violence. |
Defence counsel Timothy Raggatt QC said Oakes had a history of drug and alcohol abuse. | Defence counsel Timothy Raggatt QC said Oakes had a history of drug and alcohol abuse. |
He said it was doubtful whether the offence was premeditated. | He said it was doubtful whether the offence was premeditated. |
'Beautiful and caring' | 'Beautiful and caring' |
Speaking after the case, Det Con Michelle Ohren of West Midlands Police said Miss Trevis was a "loving and devoted mother", had everything to live for and was very close to her family. | Speaking after the case, Det Con Michelle Ohren of West Midlands Police said Miss Trevis was a "loving and devoted mother", had everything to live for and was very close to her family. |
In a statement issued by police, Natasha's mother, Joanne Hewitt, said: "Tasha was my diamond, the star of my life. | In a statement issued by police, Natasha's mother, Joanne Hewitt, said: "Tasha was my diamond, the star of my life. |
"She was beautiful, caring and loved her three children with all her heart. | "She was beautiful, caring and loved her three children with all her heart. |
"When he killed her, he killed me. He has taken a very precious person from our family and broken us in two." | "When he killed her, he killed me. He has taken a very precious person from our family and broken us in two." |
A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council social services said: "We do not comment on individual cases." | A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council social services said: "We do not comment on individual cases." |