Sydney Woman Jailed for Manslaughter of Husband
A Sydney woman has been sentenced to a minimum of three years in jail for the manslaughter of her husband, whose body was dismembered and disposed of in rubbish bins. The woman, 55, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on the basis that it was a case of excessive self-defence.
A 55-year-old woman from Sydney has been sentenced to a minimum of three years in jail for the manslaughter of her 62-year-old husband, Mamdouh Noufl, whose body was dismembered and disposed of in rubbish bins around south-west Sydney.
Nirmeen Noufl pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter just as her Supreme Court murder trial was due to begin last month, with prosecutors accepting the plea on the basis that it was a case of excessive self-defence.
Background of the Case
According to the agreed facts in the case, Noufl told psychiatrists an argument became physical one night in May 2023, during which she was assaulted and attempted to get away. She said she was pinned to the kitchen floor and choked before reaching for a nearby renovation tool and stabbing him, "believing that her life was in danger".
The couple's marriage had been marred by issues including infidelity and domestic violence, much of which went unreported. Her husband is described in those documents as strict, controlling and holding conservative Islamic views.
Sentence and Parole
Justice Peter Hamill sentenced Noufl to six years and three months, with a non-parole period of three years. Because Noufl has been in custody since her arrest, she will be eligible for parole in October next year.
The judge said the minimum term would ensure Noufl had a period of supervision, if released, to re-integrate.
Reaction to the Sentence
Outside court, one of Mr Noufl's nephews angrily expressed disapproval at the outcome. "She should have got f***ing 25 years to life," he said. "Look what she did to him, if it was an accident, if she was not meant to kill him, why did you f***ing dismember his body?"
Nirmeen Noufl's defence lawyer, Mohamed Bejjaoui, said the case represented "a tragic set of circumstances" and was "difficult on everybody, especially the family". "She plans on being released, residing with her kids, and hopefully they can move on from this to the best of their ability," he said.
He added his client was "still distressed, very emotional". Asked whether his client was remorseful, Mr Bejjaoui replied: "She is, she is. Definitely."