Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Man convicted of murdering ex-wife with crossbow

A MAN who killed his pregnant ex-wife by firing a crossbow at her has been convicted of murder.

Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, 51, was found guilty by a jury of the murder after a trial at the Old Bailey.


He will be sentenced at the same court next Friday (29).

The jury heard that Unmathallegadoo planned his attack on his 35-year-old ex-wife Sana Muhammad, who was eight months pregnant, in November last year.

Unmathallegadoo, who was armed with two crossbows, had hidden himself inside the shed at the end of the garden of the house on Applegarth Drive in Ilford, where Sana lived with her husband Imtiaz and five children.

Sana Muhammad

After being discovered by Imtiaz, Unmathallegadoo chased him into the house holding the two crossbows.

Imtiaz told his wife to run and she fled up the stairs of the house. However, Unmathallegadoo fired an arrow at her before she reached the landing.

The arrow, which measured 18 inches, entered Sana’s body in her hip and travelled up through her body. By extreme fortune, it missed the unborn baby.

Unmathallegadoo was disarmed at the scene by his son, who lived in the house.

Sana was treated by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) at the scene before being taken to a hospital.

An emergency caesarean was carried out to deliver the baby, who was initially not breathing but was revived by the medical staff.

Crossbow Reconstruction

Despite efforts to save Sana’s life, the injuries caused to her internal organs, including her stomach, liver and heart, led to her suffering a heart attack.

A post-mortem examination established her cause of death as complications arising from internal bleeding.

Unmathallegadoo was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. He was taken to an east London police station and was subsequently arrested for murder.

An investigation by detectives from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command revealed he had started making preparations for the attack several months earlier.

Analysis of his online purchases showed he bought a crossbow in March 2018, at a total cost of more than £1,000.

He also ordered archery arrows, broadheads and bolts from a number of different internet suppliers, via eBay.

In May 2018, Unmathallegadoo purchased another crossbow from another supplier.

Crossbow

Detective Sergeant Amjad Sharif, from Specialist Crime, said: “At a time when she should have been happily looking forward to the birth of her new child, Sana Muhammad was killed in cold blood by her ex-husband, Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo.

“Driven by feelings of bitterness and jealousy towards his ex-wife, who had remarried and started a new life, the defendant fired a crossbow, loaded with an 18-inch arrow.

“Sana, who was eight-months pregnant, had been running away up the stairs and posed absolutely no risk to him. By extreme fortune, the arrow missed the unborn baby. However, Unmathallegadoo showed a complete disregard for the foetus by firing a high-powered weapon from such a short distance.”

During the trial, he told the jury he had been aiming the crossbow at the bannister and had not meant to kill his ex-wife.

(Photos: Metropolitan Police).

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less