Bangladeshi Student Who stabbed Homestay Host Sentenced to 42 Years Prison

Bangladeshi student Momena Shoma, who plunged a 25cm knife into the neck and shoulder of a man who was housing her in Mill Park, has been jailed for 42 years.

Shoma admitted she was inspired by IS and chose her victim as he napped with his 5 year old daughter because he was vulnerable.

Shoma, then 24, had been in Australia on a student visa for just a week when she attacked Mr Singaravelu in the name of violent jihad, using a 25cm kitchen knife.

Bangladeshi student Momena Shoma, who plunged a 25cm knife into the neck and shoulder of a man who was housing her in Mill Park, has been jailed for 42 yrs. Shoma admitted she was inspired by IS and chose her victim as he napped with his 5yo daughter because he was vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/j9FdfMTonN

— Paul Dowsley (@pauldowsley7) June 5, 2019

The young woman was enrolled in a masters of linguistics at La Trobe University but had been looking to attack someone since arriving in Australia.

She told police she had practised the attack by stabbing a pillow while staying with a different family but chose to attack Mr Singaravelu because he was vulnerable.
Her victim has previously told the Supreme Court he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the attack, took a cocktail of medication and used alcohol to try and forget what happened to him.

"I relive the attack, the look on her face and the blood splattered on the wall," Mr Singaravelu said in a statement.

The man's daughter also suffered from PTSD, flashbacks and nightmares.

Shoma is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.