A Birmingham mother who survived a horrific hot oil attack by her husband has spoken of her devastation, saying he 'destroyed my life, my family and my face'. Mosammed Mumtaz was attacked in her home in Small Heath by her husband Raju Mollah, 50, who poured boiling oil over her head, shoved a red-hot skillet into her face, and stamped on her head.
Jailed for Attempted Murder
Mollah was sentenced to over 25 years at Birmingham Crown Court on April 24 after being found guilty of attempted murder. The attack occurred in January last year without warning, as Mrs Mumtaz washed dishes in the kitchen.
Victim Impact Statement
In a powerful victim impact statement read to the court, Mrs Mumtaz described waking up in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and wishing she had died. She said: 'He has destroyed my life, my family and my face. How can I show my face to other people?'
She detailed how her life has changed dramatically. Before the attack, she enjoyed wearing pretty dresses, visiting the beauty parlour, and feeling confident. Now, she hides her face, has lost her hair due to skin grafts, and struggles with her appearance.
Loss of Independence
Mrs Mumtaz no longer takes her children to school and only leaves home for hospital or police appointments. Her friends and family, mostly from her husband's side, have stopped visiting because they are 'angry with me because I wanted justice'. She relies on supermarket deliveries and fears her own kitchen, which triggers flashbacks.
Dreams Dashed
She had been attending college to learn English and maths, aspiring to become a primary school teaching assistant. That dream now seems impossible. Financially, she depends on Universal Credit, as Mollah was the breadwinner.
Physical problems include difficulty brushing her teeth due to knocked-out teeth and eyesight issues. Her youngest children could not see her for eight weeks after the attack due to her fear of traumatising them.
Divorce and Future
The only positive outcome, she said, is her divorce. 'I'm free of him and have a new life. But this isn't the life I want. He's destroyed my life.' The attack followed arguments about a property in Bangladesh. Mollah was ordered to serve two-thirds of his 26-year sentence before release.
