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Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again
Juanita Greenhalph rarely left her house and when she did the gran was the victim of a sick attack SICK ABUSE Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS HER neighbour offered Juanita Greenhalph a cup of tea during a get together BBQ, she was touched by the friendly gesture. Taking her first sip the grandmother had no idea of the horrific ordeal that would follow just an hour later. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Juanita Greenhalph was thrilled to be invited to her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda's BBQ Credit: True Life Stories 5 But Murambakanda raped Juanita before robbing her of £650 Credit: GMP As she carried on drinking Juanita, 62, felt 'whoozy' and her vision blurred having been unknowingly spiked by her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda. When she next opened her eyes, Murambakanda raped her twice after spiking her tea and after the horrific attack, he stole money out of her bank account. Murambakanda, 34, was sentenced to eight years and now Juanita has waived her right to anonymity to share her story. Juanita, a retiree who used to work as a barmaid, says: 'When I was invited to Meynard's BBQ I was excited as I didn't usually socialise or leave the house. 'It was a beautiful sunny day with all the neighbours but it turned into the worst day of my life. 'I am now haunted by the memory of accepting that cup of tea, and how stupid I'd been. 'But I now know none of it was my fault. He's a monster who preyed on me.' In 2020, Juanita, from Manchester, was 58 and living at home alone. She was retired and struggling with type 2 diabetes and a bad back. Her four children, all in their 30s and 40s, had left the nest years before. She says: 'Their dad and I divorced in 2003 and I'd been alone for the past 17 years. Moment violent Scots rapist caught lurking on CCTV before horror sex attack 'I barely left the house. I only left to get food from the shops. 'Every morning, I had a carer visit to give me my medication and help me with breakfast. 'My life had become very lonely.' In May that year, she got chatting to one of her neighbours, Murambakanda. They'd seen each-other but had never spoken. She says: 'I was sprawled out on my deck chair in my front garden when Meynard walked past again. 'This time he stopped and introduced himself. He told me he lived with his mother, around the corner. 'The next day, he came back and chatted again. He seemed very sweet. 'Admittedly, I never thought I'd find love again. But Meynard's attention made me feel good inside. It had been so long. 5 Murambakanda spiked Juanita's tea while at the BBQ before leading her upstairs Credit: True Life Stories 5 Juanita says the attack left her too afraid to leave her home Credit: True Life Stories 'The next day he came for a walk down the canal with me, my daughter, her partner and my granddaughter. 'I was glad to have made a new friend. 'But as Meynard was so interested in my life, I wondered if there was more between us. 'It had been years since I'd been with a man, I felt special.' Later that week, Murambakanda hosted a neighbourhood BBQ in his back-garden. To Juanita's delight, he invited her to join. She says: 'I was excited as I never left the house. He took me into the back garden and I recognised lots of my neighbours and locals. 'I sat with them and we all had a nice catch up. Whilst Meynard did the BBQ and kept disappearing inside. I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continue Juanita Greenhalph 'Due to my diabetes meds, I hadn't drank alcohol for nine years. So I stuck to water.' After a few hours, Murambakanda ran out of meat for the BBQ and Juanita kindly offered to walk to Lidl to get more. Murambakanda insisted on joining her, and as she paid for the extra steaks and sausages, he helped her with her bags. Juanita says: 'Back at the BBQ, Meynard offered me a cup of tea, my thought was, 'how sweet of him.' 'I thanked him, and he made me a nice brew.' But just an hour after drinking her tea, Juanita began to feel woozy. 'I told him I felt very tired and my eyes were heavy,' she recalls. 'He told me I should have a lay down, before helping me out of the garden to go inside. 'My vision went very blurry, then everything went black. 'When I next opened my eyes, I was on Meynard's bed. He was on top of me, raping me. 'I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continued. My eyes were still droopy and I drifted off again. 'When I next woke, he flipped me over and raped me from behind. I tried to stop him, but I lost consciousness again.' Juanita woke up again to Murambakanda holding a wet towel on her head, telling her that she was sweating. She fell unconscious again, and woke up in a silent house the next morning, realising Murambakanda and the neighbours were gone. Juanita says: 'I broke down in tears and rang my daughter. I begged her to come pick me up. 'Half an hour later she came with her partner. I was sobbing uncontrollably. I had agonising pain below, my daughter was horrified.' Back at Juanita's home, her daughter realised that her mum's bank card was missing. 'She went onto my banking app and saw £650 had been withdrawn,' Juanita says. 'I realised Meynard must've seen my pin number when I bought the meats at Lidl. He stole my money. 'I pulled down my top and showed my daughter my bruises. I told her he drugged me with a cup of tea and raped me. 'I was hysterical. I also felt like it was all my fault. I felt stupid.' Juanita's daughter helped her ring the police and 20 minutes later, two police officers arrived. Whilst Juanita was taken to the rape clinic to have swabs taken, police couldn't find Murambakanda. Two weeks later, they tracked him down at his house, and was arrested. Whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive Juanita Greenhalph Juanita says: 'He denied seeing me that day but police had CCTV footage of us together at the shops, and the bank confirmed he'd withdrawn the money. 'Although Meynard was charged, and remanded, I lived in fear every day after that. 'Every time I looked out my bedroom window, I thought I saw him in the bushes, watching me. 'I couldn't sleep. I ended up moving my bed from the window, and keeping my curtains shut. 'Months later my daughter gave birth to my second grandchild but I was so depressed I didn't meet her. 'Due to my PTSD, I missed the first year of my new granddaughter's life. I shut my family out. 'But, whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive.' In March 2023, Meynard Murambakanda, now 34, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape against at Manchester Crown Court. Juanita says: 'I was too terrified to see him again, I stayed away from court. 'But my case officer visited me, to break the news of his eight year sentence. The court also ordered Meynard to be deported back to Africa after his sentence. 'I burst into tears. For such a long time, I lived in fear and shame. 'Meynard knew I was very vulnerable when we met and he targeted me, taking my kindness for weakness. 'Now, I'm trying to make it up to my kids and grandkids for lost time. And I'm getting my strength back, day by day. 'If you have been assaulted, please tell someone. There will be people there to help you. It's never your fault.'
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Evil neighbour invited me to a BBQ then drugged & raped me – he laughed as I tried to push him off, then attacked again
AS HER neighbour offered Juanita Greenhalph a cup of tea during a get together BBQ, she was touched by the friendly gesture. Taking her first sip the grandmother had no idea of the horrific ordeal that would follow just an hour later. Advertisement 5 Juanita Greenhalph was thrilled to be invited to her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda's BBQ Credit: True Life Stories 5 But Murambakanda raped Juanita before robbing her of £650 Credit: GMP As she carried on drinking Juanita, 62, felt 'whoozy' and her vision blurred having been unknowingly spiked by her neighbour Meynard Murambakanda. When she next opened her eyes, Murambakanda raped her twice after Murambakanda, 34, was sentenced to eight years and now Juanita has waived her right to anonymity to share her story. Juanita, a retiree who used to work as a barmaid, says: 'When I was invited to Meynard's Advertisement Read More on Real Lives 'It was a beautiful sunny day with all the 'I am now haunted by the memory of accepting that cup of tea, and how stupid I'd been. 'But I now know none of it was my fault. He's a monster who preyed on me.' In 2020, Juanita, from Manchester, was 58 and living at home alone. She was retired and struggling with Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Her four children, all in their 30s and 40s, had left the nest years before. She says: 'Their dad and I divorced in 2003 and I'd been alone for the past 17 years. Moment violent Scots rapist caught lurking on CCTV before horror sex attack 'I barely left the house. I only left to get food from the shops. 'Every morning, I had a carer visit to give me my medication and help me with breakfast. Advertisement 'My life had become very lonely.' In May that year, she got chatting to one of her neighbours, Murambakanda. They'd seen each-other but had never spoken. She says: 'I was sprawled out on my deck chair in my front garden when Meynard walked past again. 'This time he stopped and introduced himself. He told me he lived with his mother, around the corner. Advertisement 'The next day, he came back and chatted again. He seemed very sweet. 'Admittedly, I never thought I'd find love again. But Meynard's attention made me feel good inside. It had been so long. 5 Murambakanda spiked Juanita's tea while at the BBQ before leading her upstairs Credit: True Life Stories 5 Juanita says the attack left her too afraid to leave her home Credit: True Life Stories Advertisement 'The next day he came for a walk down the canal with me, my daughter, her partner and my granddaughter. 'I was glad to have made a new friend. 'But as Meynard was so interested in my life, I wondered if there was more between us. 'It had been years since I'd been with a man, I felt special.' Advertisement Later that week, Murambakanda hosted a neighbourhood BBQ in his back-garden. To Juanita's delight, he invited her to join. She says: 'I was excited as I never left the house. He took me into the back garden and I recognised lots of my neighbours and locals. 'I sat with them and we all had a nice catch up. Whilst Meynard did the BBQ and kept disappearing inside. I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continue Juanita Greenhalph 'Due to my diabetes meds, I hadn't drank alcohol for nine years. So I stuck to water.' Advertisement After a few hours, Murambakanda ran out of meat for the BBQ and Juanita kindly offered to walk to Lidl to get more. Murambakanda insisted on joining her, and as she paid for the extra steaks and sausages, he helped her with her bags. Juanita says: 'Back at the BBQ, Meynard offered me a cup of tea, my thought was, 'how sweet of him.' 'I thanked him, and he made me a nice brew.' Advertisement But just an hour after drinking her tea, Juanita began to feel woozy. 'I told him I felt very tired and my eyes were heavy,' she recalls. 'He told me I should have a lay down, before helping me out of the garden to go inside. 'My vision went very blurry, then everything went black. Advertisement 'When I next opened my eyes, I was on Meynard's bed. He was on top of me, raping me. 'I pleaded with him to stop, but he laughed and continued. My eyes were still droopy and I drifted off again. 'When I next woke, he flipped me over and raped me from behind. I tried to stop him, but I lost consciousness again.' Juanita woke up again to Murambakanda holding a wet towel on her head, telling her that she was sweating. Advertisement She fell unconscious again, and woke up in a silent house the next morning, realising Murambakanda and the neighbours were gone. Juanita says: 'I broke down in tears and rang my daughter. I begged her to come pick me up. How to report a sexual assault Contact a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery. Contact a voluntary organisation, such as Call the 24-hour Speak to the 'Half an hour later she came with her partner. I was sobbing uncontrollably. I had agonising pain below, my daughter was horrified.' Back at Juanita's home, her daughter realised that her mum's bank card was missing. Advertisement 'She went onto my banking app and saw £650 had been withdrawn,' Juanita says. 'I realised Meynard must've seen my pin number when I bought the meats at Lidl. He stole my money. 'I pulled down my top and showed my daughter my bruises. I told her he drugged me with a cup of tea and raped me. 'I was hysterical. I also felt like it was all my fault. I felt stupid.' Advertisement Juanita's daughter helped her ring the police and 20 minutes later, two police officers arrived. Whilst Juanita was taken to the rape clinic to have swabs taken, police couldn't find Murambakanda. Two weeks later, they tracked him down at his house, and was arrested. Whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive Juanita Greenhalph Juanita says: 'He denied seeing me that day but police had CCTV footage of us together at the shops, and the bank confirmed he'd withdrawn the money. Advertisement 'Although Meynard was charged, and remanded, I lived in fear every day after that. 'Every time I looked out my bedroom window, I thought I saw him in the bushes, watching me. 'I couldn't sleep. I ended up moving my bed from the window, and keeping my curtains shut. 'Months later my daughter gave birth to my second grandchild but I was so depressed I didn't meet her. Advertisement 'Due to my PTSD, I missed the first year of my new granddaughter's life. I shut my family out. 'But, whenever I thought I could no longer live with such pain, I looked at photos of my grandkids. They kept me alive.' In March 2023, Meynard Murambakanda, now 34, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape against at Manchester Crown Court. Juanita says: 'I was too terrified to see him again, I stayed away from court. Advertisement 'But my case officer visited me, to break the news of his eight year sentence. The court also ordered Meynard to be deported back to Africa after his sentence. 'I burst into tears. For such a long time, I lived in fear and shame. 'Meynard knew I was very vulnerable when we met and he targeted me, taking my kindness for weakness. 'Now, I'm trying to make it up to my kids and grandkids for lost time. And I'm getting my strength back, day by day. Advertisement 'If you have been assaulted, please tell someone. There will be people there to help you. It's never your fault.' 5 Juanita wants to encourage other survivors of sexual assault to come forward Credit: True Life Stories
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
My twisted brother abused me for years, the sickening response I got when I finally told my mum meant I lost her too
IT WAS the moment Shavoughne Firth had been waiting for - finally her abuser had been caught in the act. But as the relief washed over her, the then six-year-old could never have imagined her ordeal would take an even darker twist. 7 Shavoughne Firth suffered years of abuse at the hands of her own brother Credit: True Life Stories 7 She was just five years old when her older brother Kieren Firth began his attacks Credit: True Life Stories 7 Kieran Firth was sentenced to eight years in prison for his seven-year-long campaign of abuse Credit: True Life Stories Shavoughne, 27, from Penzance, Cornwall, says that while Kieran Firth, 37,...
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
My twisted brother abused me for years, the sickening response I got when I finally told my mum meant I lost her too
IT WAS the moment Shavoughne Firth had been waiting for - finally her abuser had been caught in the act. But as the relief washed over her, the then six-year-old could never have imagined her ordeal would take an even darker twist. 7 Shavoughne Firth suffered years of abuse at the hands of her own brother Credit: True Life Stories 7 She was just five years old when her older brother Kieren Firth began his attacks Credit: True Life Stories 7 Kieran Firth was sentenced to eight years in prison for his seven-year-long campaign of abuse Credit: True Life Stories Shavoughne, 27, from Behind closed doors, he preyed on her around the family home and during bath-times from the age of five. To add to the suffering she endured, Shavoughne claims the most painful part was that when her abuser was caught her own mother Cathy* Kieran was sentenced to eight years in prison for his seven-year-long campaign of abuse but it has deeply affected Shavoughne's life, leaving her with Now, Shavoughne is bravely waiving her anonymity in a bid to raise awareness for Shavoughne, a former shopkeeper, says: 'I know now I am not a victim of my brother. I am a survivor. 'I also walked out of court with no family to greet me, and not only lost my brother but also my mother too after she took his side. 'But I will continue to fight for my healing and I know I will be okay.' INNOCENCE TAKEN Growing up, Shavoughne lived with her parents, and two older brothers, in a large three-bed house in Penzance. She says she always felt closer to her middle brother Alex*, who was two years younger than Kieran. My childhood abuser walked free -Life stories She says: 'I looked up to Alex, whilst Kieran and I weren't as close. 'Most nights after dinner, our parents went to the pub and I'd play with Alex. 'But Kieran would keep to himself, usually hidden away in his room. 'From as long as I can remember, I always thought mum favoured Kieran. He was born with a rare condition and had a hole in his heart. 'He wasn't supposed to live past his second birthday. So he was their miracle baby. 'I also felt mum's sons were the apple of her eye. Whilst I felt a little left behind.' In 2002, Shavoughne was five years old when she was left home alone with Kieran, then aged 16. Shavoughne was sitting on the living room carpet, watching the television when her older brother first took her innocence. 7 Kieran would abuse Shavoughne any time the pair were home alone together Credit: True Life Stories 7 Eventually their other brother Alex caught Kieran, pictured top left, abusing Shavoughne Credit: True Life Stories 7 But when Alex and Shavoughne told their mum about the abuse she didn't believe them Credit: True Life Stories She says: 'I suddenly heard Kieran heavily breathing. I turned around and saw he was behind me with his hand down his trousers. 'Kieran laid me down and put his hands in my pants. As he fondled down below, I didn't understand what was happening. 'He told me after that Mum would never find out as it was our little secret. 'I didn't think there was anything to tell.' After that, Kieran preyed on his little sister around the family home whenever they were left alone. Shavoughne says: 'I would cling to my Alex often, feeling safe with him. But once everyone was out of the house, I couldn't hide from Kieran. 'Things got worse, and he began forcing me to touch him. After two years when I was seven, he began abusing me in the bathtub too.' RELENTLESS ABUSE Then one night, in 2004, Kieran was assaulting Shavoughne in the bath whilst babysitting her when Alex came home early. He heard Shavoughne's cries and, assuming there was an intruder, bolted up the stairs. She says: 'He caught Kieran, naked, on top of me in the bath. He grabbed Kieran and they scuffled, before he pinned him to the wall, shouting. 'Yet Kieran said nothing back. Sobbing, naked, I felt ashamed and embarrassed. 'Seeing me cry, Alex wrapped a towel around me to cover me up and told me no-one would touch me again and everything would be okay. 'In that moment, Kieran managed to get away. I felt relief as I thought it was all over. 'But when Alex told mum everything as she came home that night, she said he was lying and making it all up. 'She didn't believe him. It broke my heart. I felt betrayed and only felt I had him on my side.' After that, Kieran stopped abusing Shavoughne after Alex had scared him off. MUM'S BETRAYAL Days later, Shavoughne found the courage to tell Cathy about the abuse. Shavoughne says: 'She said that Kieran was just washing me in the bath. 'I was told to never speak about it again. It was like a knife to my chest. 'Then to make things worse, Alex had to move away and we didn't get a proper goodbye. 'I was devastated. Only two months after he left and was unable to protect me, Kieran pounced again.' Mum told me she couldn't cope with a son in prison Shavoughne When Shavoughne was 10 she started sex education at school and began to realise the true extent of her brother's abuse. 'I wrote mum a long letter that year, telling her how I felt betrayed and isolated but nothing happened and no-one cared,' she says. 'Time passed and I again brought up Kieran and what he did during bathtimes, but she told me she couldn't cope with a son in prison. 'Feeling guilty, I didn't want to be responsible for destroying our family. My voice was silenced again.' The abuse continued until 2010, when Shavoughne was 12, and Kieran was 22. Aged 13, struggling to cope with the trauma, she tried to take her own life. How to report a sexual assault Contact a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery. Contact a voluntary organisation, such as Call the 24-hour Speak to the She was in and out of hospital and constantly pulled out of school. She says: 'I battled with PTSD, anxiety and depression from the abuse. 'My suicide attempt was a turning point. I finally found the courage to seek help and began counselling. 'Two years later, I broke free from my family, and moved out when I was 15. Although I stayed in touch with my parents, I refused to see Kieran again. 'As Mum and I still had a relationship, I felt trapped for years. Instilled with shame and still being silenced.' At 18, Shavoughne welcomed a baby boy with her now ex-boyfriend. She says: 'I named him after Alex who would always be my hero. The only person in my life who'd ever defended and believed me.' SEEKING JUSTICE Fed up with protecting her family, Shavoughne cut them off and came forward to the police in 2021 aged 24. In December 2024, Kieran Firth, now 37, of St Aubyns, Goldsithney, Penzance, was found guilty on five counts of sexual offences against a child including two counts of indecent assault, two of assault by penetration and one of sexual assault against Shavoughne. He was imprisoned for eight years. In court, mum sat in the public gallery taking Kieran's side. It was horrendous Shavoughne Shavoughne, who now has a new partner, Kane, 40, says: 'In court, mum sat in the public gallery taking Kieran's side. It was horrendous. 'Luckily Alex showed up at court and told the jury what he'd seen in the bath that awful night. 'Lawyers tried to blame Kieran's speech issues, a skeletal development disorder and heart condition as an excuse for abusing me. But the jury didn't buy it. 'Now, I'm grieving as he's in prison and also because I don't have a mum anymore. She chose her side and stuck to it. 'I will never get over it. Not having my parents to support me through this has been the hardest bit. 'My partner Kane has been incredibly supportive though. 'Now I'm also working on becoming a mentor to help survivors of sexual abuse.' *Names have been changed 7 Shavoughne has found love with her partner Kane and is moving on Credit: True Life Stories YOU'RE NOT ALONE EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide. It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, Heads Together, Mind, Papyrus, Samaritans,
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
My kind son was murdered by his best friend over ‘gay song'…shocking secret about his past made my blood run cold
WHEN teenager Sachin Hawkins secured a place at Hull University to study education, his proud mum was thrilled her kind-hearted son was a step closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming a special needs teacher. But that bright future was snatched away one evening in his student kitchen, when he was brutally murdered in a savage attack by the person he'd classed as a close friend. Advertisement 11 Shira Javaid says her son Sachin Hawkins was pursuing his dream to become a special needs teacher Credit: True Life Stories 11 Sachin was studying a four-year degree at Hull University Credit: True Life Stories 11 Sachin was stabbed to death by his housemate Syed Hussain-Kazi over a petty row about music Credit: Humberside Police Following a petty quarrel over a song, Sachin's housemate Syed Hussain-Kazi, 26, belittled him for having 'gay' music taste before suddenly plunging a six-inch kitchen knife into his chest. Paramedics fought to save Sachin, 19, but he tragically succumbed to the fatal wound. Advertisement Speaking to The Sun, his heartbroken mum Shira Javaid, 52, says she'll never forgive Hussain-Kazi for cruelly and ruthlessly taking her beloved son's life for 'a reason so silly as music'. Shira, a former eating disorder nurse specialist, says: 'Sachin should've been safe in his uni house. 'Every day my heart aches for my son. He was my world. Now he will never achieve his dream of being a teacher and I'l never see him graduate or get married.' Shira was a single mum to two children - Sachin, and her daughter, Aimee, now 18, three years younger than her brother. The family were originally from Catford, south east London, but in 2012, when Sachin was eight and Aimee was five, Shira and her kids emigrated to New York. Advertisement She says: 'Being a single mum in London was hard and I needed more support. My mum lived in New York so we moved to be with her. 'Sachin was excited to be with his grandma. He was always the apple of her eye. 'But he always wished to return home one day. He was a very British boy, through and through. Heartbreaking Old Firm march Grieving parents call for knife crime action in Scotland ' 'He also loved playing pranks on the family. He would terrorise his grandma. He was the joker and truly the light of our life.' Advertisement As Sachin got older he volunteered teaching young children. Many had special needs, which inspired him to dream of becoming a special needs teacher. Sinister warning In 2022, aged 18, Sachin was accepted onto a four-year degree course studying special education teaching at Hull University, back in the UK. After moving into halls of residence in his first year, he made friends with a student down the corridor, Hussain-Kazi. 11 Shira says her son was a 'British boy through and through' Credit: True Life Stories Shira says: 'His dad, my sister and family were there in the UK too, so I knew he wouldn't be alone. Advertisement 'Sachin and Syed grew close. He was very happy. We video-called every day. 'I planned to move back one day which gave me some comfort. 'One day Sachin told me his friend, Syed, had been in trouble with the law when he was very young. 'I said, 'Son, please be careful.' But Sachin told me I shouldn't judge and how everyone deserves a second chance in life. 'Sighing, I'd clearly brought my son up amazingly. He had such a kind, big heart. And I only heard lovely things about Syed, which put me at ease.' Advertisement 'Special friend' 11 Shira was a single mum to two children - Sachin, and her daughter, Aimee, now 18 Credit: True Life Stories 11 Shira thought her son was having the time of his life at university Credit: True Life Stories 11 Sachin was a popular student in his second year at uni Credit: True Life Stories In 2023, during their second year, Sachin and Hussain-Kazi moved in together along with some other university pals. He would FaceTime his mum and sister every day. Advertisement Shira says: 'Sometimes I'd spot Syed in the background. He was usually in Sachin's room, playing games and hanging out, and he'd occasionally wave hello. 'I remembered how Sachin had police checks before getting accepted into uni, so thought Syed must've had one too. 'Whatever trouble he'd been in must've not been anything serious. I was happy my son had made a special friend. 'Soon after, Sachin bought his plane ticket to come home for Christmas. He was planning to stay for two weeks.' But in November 2023, one month before he was due to come home, Sachin wasn't feeling well and had been texting his mum all week as usual. Advertisement Sometimes I'd spot Syed in the background. He was usually in Sachin's room, playing games and hanging out, and he'd occasionally wave hello Shira Javaid Shira texted her son to say he could order dinner from her Uber Eats account for him and his flatmates. The next day, as she was getting ready for work, she realised Sachin hadn't opened the message or replied. 'I thought it was odd,' she recalls. 'Then suddenly I got a call from my sister. She was breathing heavily, and said that Sachin had been stabbed by his flatmate Syed. And he didn't survive. 'As I heard those two words, my world ended. Sobbing, I rushed to my daughter and told her Sachin had been killed. 'She dropped to the floor crying too. My mum heard the commotion. We all howled together, in disbelief and agony. Advertisement 'Over the coming days police in Hull kept us in the loop. They told me Sachin did nothing wrong and he wasn't in any pain. But I needed more answers.' Desperate fight 11 Hussain-Kazi was arrested outside their student digs on the street, whilst flatmates tried desperately to save Sachin's life Credit: MEN Media After that, Shira spent every day on the phone with the US embassy in the UK, the mayor and schools, fighting to get Sachin's body back. Her family set up a GoFundMe page and strangers, as well as friends whose hearts Sachin had touched, raised over £24,000. A month later Sachin's body was flown over for the funeral. Advertisement In April 2024, Shira flew back to the UK with her daughter and faced Sachin's killer at Hull Crown Court. She says: 'We finally pieced together what happened. Just 15 minutes before I'd texted Sachin about dinner, he'd been cleaning the kitchen that afternoon with Syed whilst playing music. 'Syed called Sachin's music taste 'gay' and that he was a 'f*ggot'. 'They began arguing and suddenly, Syed lunged at Sachin, pushed him against the kitchen door and stabbed him in the chest with a six-inch bladed kitchen knife, yelling, 'Who's the b**** now?' 'The other housemates rushed in and saw Syed stood over Sachin clutching a large kitchen knife. Advertisement 'Syed was arrested outside on the street, whilst their flatmates tried desperately to save Sachin's life. Thinking of my son's last moments, and how he did absolutely nothing to deserve it, broke me Shira Javaid 'But as ambulances arrived, Sachin was pronounced dead. 'Thinking of my son's last moments, and how he did absolutely nothing to deserve it, broke me. 'On top of that, Syed showed no remorse on the stand, and kept saying he couldn't remember, or that he didn't mean to do it. 'It tore me apart that he couldn't just admit what he did. I wanted him to heal for himself and accept treatment and help." Advertisement It was during Syed's trial that shocking evidence emerged about his obsession with knives. He had previously terrified another first-year student flatmate when he "started swinging a 30cm knife" in front of her face. She fled to her room and locked herself in before moving in with a friend. He also had previous convictions for two offences, including a knifepoint street robbery in 2019, with a kitchen knife. Shira said: 'Aimee and I heard of his history of knives and how there had been another incident before at halls with him waving knives near students. 'I realised it must've been what Sachin had briefly told me about.' Advertisement Justice In April last year Syed Hussain-Kazi, 26, of Hardy Street, Hull was found guilty of murdering Sachin and sentenced to life, with a minimum of 18 years. Sentencing him, Judge John Thackray referred to Hussain-Kazi's fascination with kitchen knives and said he had 'needlessly and mercilessly' taken Sachin's life. He added: "Physically he was no match for you. He was seven stones and you are 12 stones when you pushed him to the door and stabbed him." Shira says she felt a wave of relief as Hussain-Kazi was led down to the cells. 'I was relieved he couldn't hurt another person," she said. "But my son should've been safe in his home at university. Advertisement 'He robbed my son of his life over something so ridiculous like a song. 'As I left Hull after the sentencing, it was heartbreaking as I felt like I was leaving Sachin. I miss how he was unapologetically in love with me, too, never afraid to give his mum a kiss or hug in front of his friends. Shira Javaid 'Now I'm back home in New York, and every day my heart aches for him. 'Sachin will never achieve his dream of being a special education teacher. His sister has no brother and my mum has no grandson. 'I miss his jokes, his pranks and his laughter. Advertisement 'Most importantly, I miss how he was unapologetically in love with me, too, never afraid to give his mum a kiss or hug in front of his friends. 'I feel so lucky to have had a son like him. I want to keep his memory alive, and stop knife violence that is destroying families.' 11 Sachin was 'unapologetically in love with his mum', never afraid to give her a kiss or hug in front of his friends Credit: True Life Stories 11 Shira is sharing her story in a bid to stop knife crime destroying more families like hers Credit: True Life Stories 11 Shira doesn't want her son's death to be forgotten Credit: True Life Stories Advertisement
