Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sabita Thanwani: Boyfriend pleads guilty to manslaughter

Thanwani, 19, was found dead in Clerkenwell in March last year

Sabita Thanwani: Boyfriend pleads guilty to manslaughter

THE boyfriend of City University student Sabita Thanwani has accepted responsibility for the death of 19-year-old but denied any intent to commit murder, reports said.

Maher Maaroufe, 23, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Thanwani at her university accommodation in central London during a hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday (30).


According to the prosecution, the Crown accepted the guilty plea and Maaroufe will not be tried for the murder of the victim.

The plea was made based on the argument of diminished responsibility, reported The Times. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating an emergency worker.

Psychology student Thanwani was found under a duvet and sheets with a cut to her throat in Clerkenwell on 19 March 2022.

According to reports, a neighbour alerted emergency services after hearing screams coming from Thanwani’s room.

"The victim was asking for help and saying she thought the defendant was going to kill her," the prosecutor said.

Reports said that the attacker attempted to enter another room before departing the building in Sebastian Street, Clerkenwell.

Subsequent analysis of the CCTV footage revealed that the accused had leaped over a fence and entered Joseph Trotter Close at 5 am.

Maaroufe was found by the police sleeping under a tarpaulin inside a garden shed. During his arrest, he reportedly assaulted a police officer by head-butting them, the court heard.

Police found Thanwani lying under blankets and a duvet on the floor with a serious neck injury. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene at 6 am.

A post-mortem examination later revealed that the cause of death was sharp force trauma to the neck.

Earlier, Thanwani's family described her as "our angel" and said she had a "radiant smile and incredible heart".

"Sabita was the most caring and loving person we have ever known. She inspired us every day of her precious 19 years of life. Her mission was to help everyone," the family said in a statement.

On 21 March, when charged, Maaroufe denied the accusation by stating that she did not die. For the plea hearing on Friday, he appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Broadmoor hospital.

In court, the family of Thanwani was present, and the sentencing was postponed to September.

More For You

Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Barnaby Rogerson in conversation with Anthony Sattin (L) on day 2 of Voices of Faith

Voices of Faith - Day 2: A profound confluence of spirituality, music, and dialogue

Mahesh Liloriya

The second day of Voices of Faith unfolded with an enchanting blend of music, philosophy, and intellectual exploration at the Barbican Centre, London. This inaugural festival, curated by Teamwork Arts—the force behind the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London—has been made possible by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners, amplifying the festival’s reach and resonance.

Session 1- Echoes of eternity: The timeless notes of Kabir

Keep ReadingShow less
starmer-immigration

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

UK returns 24,000 illegal migrants since July, highest in eight years

THE UK government has returned over 24,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the country since July, marking the highest rate of removals in eight years, prime minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.

Speaking at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, Starmer said the government is working to restore order to the immigration system.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

Baroness Patricia Scotland speaks at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London (Photo: The Ismaili National Council for the United Kingdom)

'Aga Khan dedicated his life to service, peace, and pluralism'

THE outgoing head of the Commonwealth has paid tribute to the late Prince Karim Aga Khan, describing him as a visionary leader whose lifelong dedication to service, peace, and pluralism has left a lasting impact on the world.

Speaking at an Iftar dinner held at the Ismaili Centre in London last Wednesday (26), Baroness Patricia Scotland, who steps down as Commonwealth secretary general on 1 April, reflected on her personal connection with the Aga Khan, recalling their meetings during Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Myanmar-quake-rescue-Reuters

Rescuers carry the body of a victim during search and rescue operations, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 30. (Photo: Reuters)

Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 1,700, UK pledges £10m in aid

RESCUE efforts continued in Myanmar as residents searched for survivors in collapsed buildings in Mandalay, two days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country. The disaster has killed at least 1,700 people in Myanmar and 17 in neighbouring Thailand.

The quake hit near Mandalay on Friday afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The tremors caused widespread destruction, damaging buildings, bridges, and roads in the city of more than 1.7 million people.

Keep ReadingShow less