Killer jailed for stabbing estranged wife in shop

A killer who stabbed his estranged wife in a "merciless attack" at the shop in Merseyside where she worked has been jailed for life.

Nimalarajah Mathiyaparanam, 47, admitted murdering Nilani Nimalarajah, 44, at Low Cost Food and Wine in Bootle, Sefton, where she lived in a flat above with their daughters.

Passing sentence, the judge at Liverpool Crown Court said Mathiyaparanam, from Widnes in Cheshire, had been "angry" he had not been invited to a family event. His daughter said her "world had stopped" on 20 June - the day of the murder - and felt "betrayed" by her father.

He was sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in prison.

Judge Brian Cummings KC said a pathologist had identified 14 stab wounds and four slash wounds on the victim's body, and that Mathiyaparanam had "acted with intent to kill".

The judge described the murder as "exceptionally cruel and brutal", which subjected the victim to "a high level of mental and physical suffering".

Before the attack, Mathiyaparanam was said to have descended into alcoholism and his behaviour became aggressive and unpredictable.

"You had not been invited to a family event but when you learned of this, you became angry," said the judge.

"The victim, who was by all accounts a kind and thoroughly decent woman, was trapped in the shop with you, in fear for her life.

"Your actions demonstrate that you were determined to ensure your victim did not survive."

In a victim impact statement read to the court, one of Mathiyaparanam's daughters, now 18, said: "Mum was my everything, we were best friends.

"On the day this happened, I felt like my dad had stabbed me in the back.

"I was shocked, lost for words and didn't know what to do. My world stopped around me.

"Even though there'd been previous incidents, I never dreamt of this happening. I never stopped loving my dad until that day.

"I lost my mum, dad, my home and myself."

The teenager continued: "The person who made me feel safe and loved is now gone. And the person who took her away was my dad - I feel betrayed to say the least.

"Dads are meant to be people who protect the family, not destroy it."

She said losing her mum had "changed everything", adding: "She was the person who I went to for advice, comfort and support.

"She helped me get through school, plan my future, help me feel safe. Her absence is something I feel every day."

Mathiyaparanam pleaded guilty to murder and possessing a bladed article in public on the second day of his trial on Wednesday.

He had also previously admitted breaching a restraining order, which had barred him from contacting his wife and daughter.

Judge Cummings told Mathiyaparanam he would not be considered for release until he had served the minimum term.

"And he warned the killer that this meant he may never be released from prison.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Bethany Leigh, of CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said Mathiyaparanam "murdered his estranged wife in a meticulous and brutal manner in front of eyewitnesses".

She said the killer "planned the murder, choosing the knife he would use as the weapon and buying it a few hours before.

"He has finally admitted his guilt and has been brought to justice for this awful crime."

Det Ch Insp Alan Nuttall, who led the investigation, said: "This act of domestic violence is one of the worst I've seen during my time working at Merseyside Police.

"Mathiyaparanam carried out his premeditated and targeted attack when there were plenty of people around - it was rush hour traffic on the street outside and lots of witnesses.

"He was clearly intent on killing Nilani on this afternoon and simply didn't care about the consequences."

After his arrest, the force said Mathiyaparanam ingested an unknown substance and ended up in hospital.

Nuttall said he hoped the outcome of the sentencing hearing would help the family, adding: "We have been determined to get justice not only for Nilani, but also their children and our thoughts remain with them."

He urged anyone who may be a victim of domestic abuse - or who knows someone who may be one - to contact police or a local support service.

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support.

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