Man Jailed for Life After Brutal Killing of Deaf Woman in East London
36-year-old Duane Owusu handed minimum 16 years after fatally punching 27-year-old Zahwa Mukhtar and leaving her to die
- Duane Owusu jailed for life with minimum 16 years for murder
- Victim, Zahwa Mukhtar, died after being punched in the neck and abandoned
- Court heard disturbing eyewitness and CCTV evidence of the attack
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and six months after he fatally punched a deaf woman and abandoned her in the street in east London.
Duane Owusu, 36—also known by the nickname “Nasty”—was convicted at the Old Bailey for the murder of 27-year-old Zahwa Mukhtar following a trial earlier this month.
The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of August 16, 2025, after the pair attended a rave. Owusu allegedly forced Ms Mukhtar out of an overcrowded car before striking her once in the neck, causing fatal injuries. Instead of seeking help, he drove away from the scene.
The attack, which was captured on CCTV and witnessed by friends, left onlookers in shock. Witness Paige Allen told the court that Ms Mukhtar appeared to plead for help before the fatal blow was delivered, describing Owusu’s behaviour as “rage” and “monstrous.”
Owusu denied the murder charge, claiming he only pushed the victim away from the vehicle in an attempt to calm the situation. He insisted during the trial that he did not believe she had been seriously injured.
However, Judge Richard Marks KC rejected his account, describing the strike as a “forceful blow with no justification.” He told the court that Owusu showed complete disregard for the victim’s condition, noting that he was aware she had been left alone and vulnerable in the early hours.
The judge added that the defendant’s actions reflected “callous and selfish behaviour,” as he chose to leave her on the ground despite opportunities to seek medical assistance.
In a victim impact statement, Ms Mukhtar’s brother, Jamaluddin Mukhtar, described her as a loving and resilient young woman who overcame deafness caused by meningitis at the age of three. He said her warmth, kindness, and positivity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
He added that her death has left an “immeasurable void” in the family’s lives.
During mitigation, Owusu’s lawyer said he expressed remorse for the pain caused to the victim’s family.
It was also revealed in court that Owusu had a previous conviction for his role in a fatal robbery and was on bail for drug-related charges at the time of the killing.
