Sydney woman sentenced to minimum three years' jail over husband's killing

Nirmeen Noufl, 55, has been sentenced to a minimum of three years in jail for the killing and dismemberment of her husband, Mamdouh Noufl, 62. According to prosecutors, Noufl stabbed her husband believing her life was in danger during a physical altercation in May 2023. Her husband's body has not been found. She was arrested in October 2024 and pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which was accepted by the prosecution based on excessive self-defence.

Justice Peter Hamill handed Noufl a sentence of six years and three months, with a non-parole period of three years, meaning she will be eligible for parole next October. The judge noted that Noufl's conduct in disposing of her husband's remains was disturbing, but did not find beyond reasonable doubt that she intended to kill him.

The judge also considered Noufl's history of childhood dysfunction and domestic violence, as well as the couple's troubled marriage, when determining the sentence. The couple's children testified about the abusive nature of their relationship, featuring violence, manipulation, and coercive control. Mr Noufl's relatives described him as kind, respectable, and compassionate, but expressed pain at the loss and the brutality of the dismemberment.

Mr Noufl's defence lawyer described the case as tragic and difficult, and said his client was still distressed and remorseful.