Bengaluru (Aryavarth): In a courtroom revelation that sent shockwaves through the community, Maher Maaroufe, a Tunisian man accused of the murder of Indian-origin student Sabita Thanwani in London, has admitted to her killing. During a hearing at the Old Bailey court on Friday, the 23-year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The court is set to determine the appropriate legal consequences for the crime during the sentencing scheduled for September.
The haunting details of the tragedy were laid bare during the court proceedings. On March 19 last year, the lifeless body of 19-year-old Sabita Thanwani was discovered in her university accommodation in the Clerkenwell area of north London. According to the post-mortem examination, she was found under the sheets, her throat bearing a cut that proved to be the cause of her death.
It was revealed in court that Maher Maaroufe and Sabita Thanwani had been in a relationship prior to the fateful morning of the killing. They were together in the student accommodation when a neighbor became alarmed by the disturbing noises and screams emanating from their room. Acting swiftly, the concerned neighbor contacted emergency services for assistance.
By the time the police arrived at the scene, the suspect had already fled the building. However, witnesses reported seeing Maaroufe leaving while wearing a balaclava, providing a crucial lead for law enforcement. The Metropolitan Police launched an urgent manhunt for the perpetrator and eventually apprehended him days later, bringing him to justice.
During this week’s court hearing, Maher Maaroufe appeared via video link from the high-security psychiatric hospital, Broadmoor, where he is being held. Assisted by an Arabic interpreter, he pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter and also admitted to assaulting a police officer during his arrest last year. The court remanded him back into custody pending the sentencing phase.
The devastating loss of Sabita Thanwani, a beloved member of her family, reverberated through the statement released by her grieving relatives. They described her as their “angel,” emphasizing her caring nature, radiant smile, and incredible heart. Sabita had embarked on a path of studying psychology at City University, driven by her passion to make a positive impact on others’ lives. Tragically, her promising future was abruptly cut short, leaving her loved ones devastated and grappling with profound grief.
As the legal process moves forward, the family continues to mourn their beloved Sabita, cherishing her memory and the indelible mark she left on their lives. The upcoming sentencing in September will seek to provide a measure of justice for the loss they have endured. The details revealed in the emotional court hearing have unveiled the tragic circumstances surrounding Sabita Thanwani’s untimely death, leaving a lasting impact on all those involved.