Tamby Dowling killing: Oldham man Abid Mahmood jailed with hybrid order for manslaughter of his estranged wife

A man who admitted killing his estranged wife has been jailed with a hybrid hospital order.

Abid Mahmood, from Oldham, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Tamby Dowling.

Ms Dowling died from multiple stab wounds at an address in Oldham.

Mahmood was also found guilty of assaulting a teenage girl in the attack.

What happened to Tamby Dowling?

The court heard that police officers were called to Water Mill Avenue in Oldham at about 7pm on Monday 8 November 2021 to reports of a stabbing.

Emergency services found two people with stab injuries, Ms Dowling and a 16-year-old girl.

Mahmood, of Cambridge Street in Oldham, turned up unannounced and forced his way into the address. He then punched Ms Dowling, 36, before pulling out a large knife and stabbing her as she lay on the floor.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, while the teenage girl was treated in hospital for leg injuries.

After the attack 35-year-old Mahmood, who has a history of mental health issues, handed himself into police with the knife in his waistband. He was later charged over Ms Dowling’s death.

The post-mortem examination said Ms Dowling’s death was caused by “multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen”.

In total, Ms Dowling was stabbed eight times with some of the wounds being up to 18cm deep. One blow severed part of her heart.

What sentence has Mahmood been given?

Mahmood received a lifetime hybrid hospital order and was told to serve a minimum of 10 years for Ms Dowling’s manslaughter on Thursday (30 June).

He had already admitted the offence at an earlier court hearing.

The hybrid order means that once the period of treatment in hospital has been completed Mahmood will then be transferred to jail.

Mahmood also pleaded guilty to section 18 assault on a 16-year-old girl and for that he was ordered to serve six years concurrently.

What was said about Ms Dowling?

A family tribute to Ms Dowling at the time read: “She was outgoing, kind-hearted, generous, and had time for everyone.

Her door was always open, her home was filled with visitors, and her kettle was always just boiled.

“Tamby will leave a huge hole and massive impact on all the family. She touched the lives of countless people - the hole she has left will never be filled and our hearts are broken.”

What have the police said about Mahmood’s sentencing?

Senior investigating officer Duncan Thorpe, of the serious crime division at Greater Manchester Police, said: “Our thoughts are with Tamby’s family and friends, and can only hope today’s sentence brings some comfort to them.

“This is a horrific example of violence against women and girls and we are absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls.

“If anyone thinks they are in danger or at the risk of violence, they should always call the police.”