Ex-Poundland worker Zeeyarat Khan was sentenced to 18 years in jail after attacking 32-year old single mum, Samera Suleman, who refused his romantic advances. Both individuals had been employees of Poundland's St Andrew's retail branch in Little Heath where Suleman endured repeated threats to her life before the final bloody attack on October 9th of last year.
Khan picked up a hammer and according to witnessess, a mother and three young children, launched a 'determined and sustained attack' on Suleman leaving the victim with skull and hand fractures. Police arrived ten minutes later to catch Khan still holding the bloodstained weapon.
'Although they (Khan and Suleman) were friendly they rarely socialised outside work,' the prosecution stated. 'He was attracted to her. He told Miss Suleman he had feelings for her and wanted to marry her.'
Suleman, also a teaching assistant, had arrived to quit her part-time position at Poundland because of the harassment she was feeling.
The defendant's lawyer argued that Khan had felt rebuffed and the incident had been an impulsive “explosion”. However Judge James Burbidge QC ruled that he willfully 'rushed out of the store and pursued her, attacking her in the most public of places.' Khan was also told: 'You rained blows on her fast and furious. You wanted the relationship to be more permanent but she gently rebuffed you.'
About a year on, Samera has recovered from the head injury but is still receiving counseling.
