Bodrul Alam: convicted of attempted murder

A DOMESTIC violence charity has called for “urgent action”, greater funding from the government, and better training of police, after a man was sentenced for trying to kill a mother.

Bodrul Alam, 25, was sentenced to 25 years in prison at the Old Bailey on Friday after a horrific case in which the victim survived thanks to care from her children.

Rebecca Goshawk, head of partnerships and public affairs at Solace, Women’s Aid, said: “The National Police Chiefs’ Council recently declared violence against women and girls (VAWG) a national emergency. something we have been campaigning to highlight for years.

“We need urgent action to keep women and girls safe.”

In Camden a VAWG board was set up two years ago to try to tackle what has been seen as an epidemic of violence.

Goshawk said the July 29 fatal stabbings of three girls in Merseyside should be seen in the context of VAWG, something that has been lost as the response has been switched to the far right riots of the past week.

“The murder of three young girls, Elsie, Bebe and Alice, in Southport is part of a wider epidemic of male violence that continues to harm our society,” she said. “We need to see the government taking violence against women and girls seriously by investing in specialist support services like Solace. We need better training for police forces, particularly first responders, to believe and support victims of violence and abuse. We must counter the sexist voices and make sure that young people are educated about healthy relationships.”

Alam, who lived in Bloomsbury, fled to France after leaving the woman with repeated stab wounds.

The court heard that police were called to an address in Camden in April last year to reports of an attack.
Police said that the “victim’s children called for assistance and provided vital care to their mother until help arrived”.

Alam was quickly identified as a suspect and he was arrested near Versailles, two months later and then returned to London shortly after that. He had already been convicted before last week’s sentencing.
Detective Inspector Craig Mascall said: “This sentence shows that domestic violence will not be tolerated. Bodrul Alam is a dangerous individual and it is right that he will serve a long custodial sentence. I commend the bravery of the victim throughout this case and, in particular, the courage and actions of her young children that ultimately saved her life.”

Reach out and ask for help

THE most important number in an emergency and if you are at immediate risk is the police direct response 999.

If you can’t speak on the phone because of who might hear you when you ring, press 55 once connected to let the operator know silently. Speak to police at other times on 101.

Experts know, however, that not everybody always feels comfortable going directly to the police straight away and there are a number of organisations offering support to women suffering from domestic abuse.

• Solace offers a range of advice and support, from a confidential helpline to refuge accommodation and counselling.

If you need help, call them on 0808 802 5565, email advice@solacewomensaid.org, or go to solacewomensaid.org for more information.

• Refuge provides safe, emergency accommodation through a growing network of refuges and runs the Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline in partnership with Women’s Aid. Call them on 0808 200 0247

• Hopscotch in Hampstead Road provides support services for Asian women and other minority women and their families who are suffering from domestic abuse. Advisers speak Bengali, Sylheti, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic and French. Call on 020 7388 8198 or email dv1@hopscotchuk.org