Man stabbed wife to death in front of her children in Bognor

A young mother was stabbed to death in front of her two young children and mother by her estranged husband after he was told he had lost a custody battle and was being deported.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2009, 15:54 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 17:48 BST

Cassandra Hasanovic, 24, was dragged from her mother's car over one of her children and stabbed in the chest, in her buttock, and twice in the back at Normanton Avenue in broad daylight on July 29 last year.

The jury at Lewes Crown Court heard how Mrs Hasanovic was trying to escape to a women's refuge at a secret location away from her husband Hajrudin Hasanovic because she feared for their safety.

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Prosecuting, Philippa McAtasney QC opened the crown's case yesterday and told the jury Mrs Hasanovic the two boys and Cassandra's mother were screaming inside the car.

"We will hear from witnesses what a chilling, vicious, and violent attack this was. One woman said Cassandra had a look of pure terror.

"She was left in a pool of her own blood," she told the court.

Mrs Hasanovic died from her injuries in hospital on the same day after the attack.

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After the attack Hasanovic had contacted the police and said: "I have done something bad."

He was questioned by police and when the news of Mrs Hasanovic's death reached them, he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

A large kitchen knife belonging to Hasanovic was found by the car door at Normanton Avenue.

The court heard Hasanovic admitted he owned the knife and kept it in his car for impromptu dental repairs.

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Letters were found where Hasanovic was staying with a friend at the time of the attack at Dunn Close in Eastney, Portsmouth.

He addressed one letter to a friend asking him to tell his sons 'to be good boys and look after each other. School and sport is necessary. Be good to your grandmother.

'Go to Serbia every year for a month. You have family there who love you like I do. I will pray to god Allah to be with you. Take care. I love you both. Love you forever."

When the letter was read out in court, Hasanovic broke down in tears.

Hasanovic, 33, of Prescott Close, Guston, near Dover, denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Related topics:BognorSerbia