WOMAN JAILED FOR STABBING ABUSIVE MOTHER TO DEATH
A woman has been jailed for nine years for stabbing her abusive mother to death at a home in west London.Aziza Bennis, 58, was found in her own living room in Boddington Gardens, Acton, with more than 30 stab wounds on 15 August 2022.
Hanaa Bennis, 22, claimed she was acting in self-defence, alleging her mother had attacked her first.
She was initially charged with murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Judge Nigel Lickley KC stated that a combination of violence, health issues, alcohol, and concerns about her daughter all contributed to the event.
Neighbours reported hearing screams and objects being thrown.
The case revealed that the argument involved the defendant's daughter, and her mother had a longstanding history of abusive behavior.
Prior to the killing, the pair exchanged heated text messages, with Hanaa Bennis writing, 'you made me hate my life', to which her mother responded, 'get a life'.
Both had alcohol and drugs in their system at the time of the incident.
The prosecution highlighted her history of excessive drinking, missing engagements, and refusal to work with professionals.
During sentencing, Judge Lickley KC acknowledged the 'ferocity of the attack' as evidence of her intent to kill but also recognized her shame and guilt.
Bennis claimed her mother was abusive throughout her life.
Psychiatric reports, her sister’s testimony, and social service records all supported her claims, describing Aziza Bennis as 'frequently violent, unpredictable, and unstable.' The case also detailed family abuse, including beatings, alcohol abuse, and a threat with a knife, with her defense referencing 'shocking' abuse involving beatings and black magic.
The judge considered the impact of complex PTSD from childhood trauma.
Hanaa Bennis has six previous convictions including assault, and at the time of the killing, she was under a community order for assaulting an emergency worker.
She was sentenced to nine years in prison, with an additional five years on extended license.
