A man who attempted to flea the country in a dinghy across the English Channel after committing a murder in Miles Platting has been jailed for thirty years
Suleman Altaf aged 45 of The Frithe in Slough, Berkshire received a mandatory life sentence, with an order he is to serve at least 30 years before being considered for parole, for the horrific murder of Jakub Szymanski – who had been desperately trying to stop Altaf from attacking his mum with a knife.
The Court heard how, on the 9 June 2022, Altaf went to the home of his estranged ex-partner, Katarzyna Bastek, on Bednal Avenue in Miles Platting. CCTV cameras captured him walking around the area for more than three hours prior to his arrival. CCTV also picked up the fact he was wearing a baseball cap, surgical mask and latex gloves.
After letting himself into the property, he launched a frenzied knife attack on Katarzyna when, during the attack, Jakub tried to stop him from attacking his mum. He sadly received a catastrophic injury to neck, which proved to be fatal.
In the property for just two minutes, Altaf then fled, taking a taxi to his home address in Slough, where he collected his belongings and then drove to the South Coast where he attempted to sail across the English Channel in a dinghy.
He was intercepted by a lifeboat crew on 10 June 2022, approximately four miles out at sea, stating it was his intention to sail to France before continuing his journey to Portugal.
After almost an hour of negotiation Altaf agreed to abandon his plans and accompanied the crew back to Dungeness, Kent, where he was arrested by police and transferred back to Manchester.
On interview, Altaf admitted being at the home address of Katarzyna Bastek the night before, as a final effort to re-establish contact with his son (not Jakub) who he had not seen in more than seven years.
The Court also heard how, on that night, Katarzyna was in her lounge on the phone talking to her friend when she saw a shadow in her hallway which startled her. On getting up to see who it was, she was confronted by Altaf, who was armed with a knife. She immediately feared for her life and begged him to leave.
Altaf launched a frenzied attack on Katarzyna, who, despite sustaining serious injuries, shouted to her friend who was still on the phone, to call the police. She also called for help from her son Jakub, who was upstairs but who came to her aid. Altaf turned his violent intent towards him, before resuming the attack on Katarzyna.
Still shouting for him to leave, Altaf said “I can leave you now” before he calmly left the property. And it was at this moment, Katarzyna realised that Jakub had been horrifically injured. Emergency services quickly attended the scene but sadly Jakub was pronounced deceased in hospital at approximately 10.30pm.
Katarzyna herself had been subject to multiple serious injuries, including nine stab injuries, various facial fractures, chest injuries, a collapsed lung, along with nerve and vascular injuries. She was operated on the same evening.
On sentencing Senior Investigating Officer, Philip Reade, said: “This was an extremely vicious, frenzied and targeted attack that will live with this family for the rest of their lives. Jakub was at the heart of the family.
“He was much loved and was savagely murdered whilst trying to defend his mum from certain death at the hands of Altaf.
“I would like to commend the dignity and courage of Katarzyna and her family throughout this horrendous ordeal. I know that today’s sentencing will not bring Jakub back to his family, but we are hoping that it will now give the family the opportunity to begin their healing process and allow them to grieve their devastating loss in peace.”
Paying tribute to her brave son, Katarzyna said: “Our loving son and brother will be so greatly missed. He was a friend to many. Kuba had a special smile and a special face. That day he was our special hero. Kuba, we can’t and will never replace you.
“You gave your love that day, your whole life through. God bless you Jakub, we love you. We would now ask for privacy as we grieve our Kuba and try to come to terms with what’s happened.”
