Tamby Dowling: Ex-partner who killed Oldham mum sentenced

Abid Mahmood, 35, killed his ex-partner at her home on Water Mill Avenue in Chadderton on November 8 last year.

He previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, with the sentencing beginning on Friday, June 24 at Manchester Crown Court.

During the first day of sentencing, Jamie Hamilton QC, prosecuting, explained how Mahmood took a taxi from an address on Cambridge Street to Ms Dowling’s home on November 8.

When the taxi arrived, he got out and managed to enter the home, where he killed Ms Dowling by stabbing her eight times in her torso.

He then returned to the taxi, with the driver saying in a previous statement that he appeared "cool".

Mahmood, of Cambridge Street, Werneth, then told the taxi driver he could hear screaming voices in his head and asked the driver to pray for him.

Abid Mahmood

Frida Hussain QC, defending, said Mahmood had a long history of mental health issues dating back to when he was aged 12, which includes being diagnosed with schizophrenic disorder.

Mahmood was said to believe Ms Dowling, who he had been separated from, was involved in relationships with his brother and best friend.

Ms Hussain also explained how when Mahmood returned home, he told his brother what he had done and asked him to take him to the police station, where he surrendered himself.

She said Mahmood had been "begging" the mental health authorities to section him in the weeks building up to Ms Dowling's killing.

He is currently diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

In a victim statement read out on June 24, Shelina Miah, a close friend of Ms Dowling, paid tribute to her friend by describing her as “beautiful” and “kind”, saying: “She could walk into a room and lift the mood before she even spoke.”

She added that the killing was “nothing but pure, calculated evil”.

Ms Dowling’s sister Stacey Hawley also provided a victim statement, describing her sister as a “lovely, kind and caring person” who had a “heart of gold”.

In his comments, Judge Alan Conrad QC said the incident was a "planned and premeditated offence" and the stabbing itself was "a savage and sustained attack".

He sentenced Mahmood to life in prison as part of a hybrid order; he must serve a minimum of 10 years before being considered for release.

Mahmood will remain in hospital for continued treatment and, if and when he no longer requires treatment, he will be transferred to prison.

Judge Conrad said he believed Mahmood is a dangerous offender.