A violent offender who repeatedly stabbed a mother before swinging her seven-month-old baby by his legs against walls is facing a Parole Board hearing to decide if he can be released into the community.
Aamer Araf was jailed in 2021 following an attack in Tipton, West Midlands, on 28 May 2020. The incident resulted in severe life-threatening injuries to both the adult victim and her infant child.
During the attack, Araf stabbed the 37-year-old woman repeatedly until she lost consciousness, inflicting knife wounds across her face, hands, and thigh, alongside a fractured hand. Hearing screams, neighbours rushed inside the property to assist the woman as she lay motionless on the floor.
Araf took the victim’s seven-month-old baby upstairs, where he swung the child by his legs and struck his head against the walls. When West Midlands Police officers arrived, Araf attempted to use the injured infant to prevent his arrest. Responding officers discharged a Taser to incapacitate Araf, allowing them to recover the child and administer immediate medical aid. The infant was hospitalised in a critical condition suffering from head trauma.
Initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Araf entered a guilty plea to grievous bodily harm. The Crown Court sentenced him to an extended sentence of 12 years, reduced to eight years in custody on account of his early plea, with an additional four-year extended licence period.
Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the child victim in these proceedings is protected by automatic statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating identifying information, names, addresses, or images capable of identifying the victim is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Araf was convicted of:
- Grievous bodily harm
Araf first became eligible for early release consideration in September 2025. A formal Parole Board reconsideration decision confirmed that his release was denied because the panel was not satisfied that the risk he posed to the public, particularly to women and children, could be safely managed outside of custody.
Araf’s case is scheduled for a fresh parole hearing in November 2026. Should the board determine that he remains an unmanageable risk, his mandatory statutory release date will take effect in May 2028.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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