Parvez Akhtar, 49, has been jailed for life after he stabbed his wife to death in front of their children at their home in Washwood Heath, Birmingham

A mother of five was stabbed to death by her gambling addicted husband at their home in front of their children.

Parvez Akhtar plunged a combat style knife into his 49-year-old wife Shaeen's chest after she had asked him to leave their home on Wright Road, Washwood Heath, Birmingham.

Some of the couple's children witnessed the attack, including their youngest son aged four, and Akhtar, 46, has now been jailed for life.

The horrifying attack took place just before 4pm on October 15.

The couple had argued just before Akhtar stabbed his wife.

Judge Mark Wall QC said he must serve a minimum of 20 years before being considered for release.

Robert Price, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said Akhtar and the victim lived in a three bedroom terraced house with their children who were aged between four and 26.

She worked from home as a seamstress and was described as hard-working and strong-willed, while the court heard how her husband had developed both an addiction to gambling and drinking.

Akhtar, after drinking, would sometimes become aggressive and 'take it out' on his wife.

He also stole from her to feed his gambling addiction.

Mrs Akhtar had challenged him about his gambling and drinking and this had lead to tensions at the home.

Shaeen Akhtar, 49, was stabbed to death by her husband after he returned home from a alcohol binge and they got in an argument

On the day before the killing Akhtar stole £200 from his wife, before going out and returning at around 3pm the following day, October 15.

They had then argued with Mrs Akhtar asking him to leave and holding the front door open which he was trying to push shut.

'He then quickly pulled out a knife from the right side of his trousers and stabbed Shaeen with it to the left side of her chest, ' said prosecutor Mr Price.

He said the weapon he used was a combat style knife which he would take out of the house as protection.

Their eldest son 'bravely' tried to intervene and pushed his father away while his mother fled to the lounge where she collapsed.

Attempts were made to give her CPR but she died from massive blood loss.

Akhtar stabbed his wife with a combat style knife and fled as she fell to the floor and bled to death, despite receiving emergency CPR

Akhtar drove off from the scene but was later stopped by police and arrested nearby.

Details of Akhtar’s red Ford Focus were passed across police airwaves and officers spotted him behind the wheel around 15 minutes later.

He was arrested in the street and a forensic examination of his clothing and shoes revealed droplets of blood that returned a DNA match to his wife

In a statement, Adeil Akhtar, aged 26, said his mother had the 'the most beautiful soul' and was a very caring person.

He said her death had left him and his siblings: 'Broken, hurt, confused and empty' and that they were devastated.

A tribute issued on behalf of the family read: 'Our amazing, caring, beloved mother passed away on the 15th October 2017.

'We hope she is in a better place, looking down on us and nodding her head in approval. We want to tell her and the world, she will always be in our hearts.'

Judge Wall said 'You lost your temper. This is a tragic example of why habitually carrying knives is so dangerous.

'You did what you did while the children were at home and some of them witnessed it. There can be few things so distressing as watching a loved one die from a violent act.'

Akhtar fled in his red Ford Focus and details of the car were passed across police airwaves, with officers finding and arresting him 15 minutes later

Michael Evans QC, defending, said Akhtar had been affected by seeing his mother kill his father when he was nine and that his remorse was genuine.

He said he had gambled away the money he stole from his wife and when he returned to the house he had felt ashamed and upset.

Detective Inspector Paul Joyce from West Midlands Police's Homicide Team, said: 'Mrs Akhtar confronted her husband when he returned home at around 4pm having been out all night drinking.

'An argument erupted and he refused to leave. Without warning, and in front of his children, he stabbed Mrs Akhtar in the left side of her chest.

'He drove off but was caught within a matter of minutes and will now spend a very long time behind bars for this horrendous attack.

'We later learned that Akhtar routinely carried the combat knife around for his own protection − and this is again another stark warning of the catastrophic consequences of carrying knives in public.

'If anyone suspects someone of carrying a knife − sometimes in the misguided belief it's for their own protection − I would urge them to call us or Crimestoppers anonymously so we can take action and protect the public.'