Man stabbed estranged wife 18 times, jury told

A man accused of murdering his estranged wife stabbed her at least 18 times in the shop where she worked, a jury has been told.

Nilani Nimalarajah, 44, died after being attacked at Low Cost Food and Wine in Bootle on Merseyside on 20 June.

Jurors at Liverpool Crown Court were played "harrowing" footage from the Stanley Road shop's CCTV, which showed her being stabbed in the head and chest.

Nimalarajah Mathihyadaranam, 47, denies murdering his wife and possessing a bladed article in public.

Annabel Darlow KC, prosecuting, told the jury that the defendant carried out "a merciless, sustained and brutal attack".

She said Mathiyadaranam, who was subject to a restraining order, had bought a block of knives and duct tape in the hours leading up to the stabbing.

Darlow said the defendant had not been invited to a significant family event and "his reaction was one of the most appalling and premeditated violence".

She told the court Mathiyadaranam had become an alcoholic after his businesses got into difficulties and had later been violent.

Before the CCTV footage was played, Darlow told jurors that they may find it "extremely upsetting and harrowing".

She said: "You may experience horror, sympathy, revulsion and pity, but you must not judge this case on the basis of your emotional reaction."

Judge Cummings KC told the jury that a key point of dispute in the case was intention.

The prosecution claims the defendant intended to kill Nilani Nimalarajah or cause really serious harm, whereas the defence alleges he had no such intention.

The judge said the jury would have to decide to what extent, if any, Mathiyadaranam's intentions had been affected by alcohol.

After jurors were shown the footage, Darlow said: "It's a slow, purposeful and deliberate attack.

"Nilani had no chance at all of surviving. What it is not is frenzied or out of control.

"He only stops when she's motionless and there can be no doubt she's at death's door."

Footage recorded after the stabbing showed Mathiyadaranam watching with his arms folded as police officers attempted CPR, the court heard.

In October 2024, a restraining order barred him from contacting his wife or daughter. He has admitted breaching that order.

Mathiyadaranam denies murder. The trial continues.

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