Suleman Altaf, a resident of The Frithe in Slough, Berkshire, has been handed a mandatory life sentence, with a minimum of 30 years before parole consideration, for the brutal murder of 15-year-old Jakub Szymanski and the attempted murder of Jakub’s mother, Katarzyna Bastek.
The court learned that on June 9, 2022, Altaf went to the home of his estranged ex-partner, Katarzyna Bastek, on Bednal Avenue in Miles Platting. Prior to his arrival, CCTV footage captured him loitering around the area for over three hours while donning a baseball cap, surgical mask, and latex gloves.
Once inside the property, Altaf launched a frenzied knife attack on Katarzyna. In a valiant effort to protect his mother, Jakub intervened, but tragically, he received a fatal injury to his neck. After just two minutes, Altaf fled the scene, taking a taxi to Slough, where he collected his belongings before attempting to sail across the English Channel in a dinghy.
Approximately four miles out at sea on June 10, 2022, Altaf was intercepted by a lifeboat crew, who thwarted his plans of sailing to France and then Portugal. He was arrested by police and brought back to Manchester.
During the investigation, Altaf admitted to being at Katarzyna’s home the previous night in an attempt to reconnect with his son (not Jakub) whom he had not seen for over seven years.
Katarzyna recounted her harrowing experience to the court, explaining how she saw a shadow in the hallway before being confronted by Altaf, who was armed with a knife. Despite suffering serious injuries, she bravely called for help from her friend and Jakub. In the midst of the attack, Altaf shifted his violent intent towards Jakub before resuming the assault on Katarzyna.
Emergency services promptly arrived at the scene, but tragically, Jakub succumbed to his injuries in the hospital at around 10.30 pm. Katarzyna suffered multiple severe injuries, including nine stab wounds, facial fractures, chest injuries, a collapsed lung, and nerve and vascular damage. She underwent surgery on the same evening.
Senior Investigating Officer Philip Reade described the attack as “extremely vicious, frenzied, and targeted,” expressing admiration for Katarzyna’s resilience throughout this devastating ordeal. He extended his condolences to the family and hoped that the sentencing would enable them to begin the healing process and grieve their immense loss in peace.
