Diminished Responsibility Plea from Woman who Killed Mother


Hanaa Bennis denies murdering school dinner lady


Hanaa Bennis. Picture: Facebook

January 17, 2023

A 21-year-old woman from Acton has made a plea of diminished responsibility after stabbing her mother to death.

Hanaa Bennis killed 58-year-old Aziza Bennis, who worked as a school dinner lady at the Ark Acton Academy, on 15 August last year at the home they shared at Clariat Court in Boddington Gardens near Acton Town tube station.

After stabbing her over 30 times ‘with severe force’ she filmed the aftermath on her phone showing her mother curled up in the foetal position with wounds to her face, hands and body. Evidence was presented to the court which suggested that she had tried to defend herself.

A neighbour testified at an early hearing at the West London Coroners’ Court that Mrs Bennis had shouted 'please stop hurting me' at the time of the attack.

Mrs Bennis came to London from Casablanca in Morocco and had lived in the area for 17 years.


Boddington Gardens. Picture: Facebook

Her daughter, who has a child of her own, has admitted the killing at the pre-trial hearing held at the Old Bailey, but is denying murder. Her defence will argue that her mental state at the time of the killing made it impossible for her to be fully responsible for her actions.

Hanaa Bennis has been remained in custody ahead of her trial which is scheduled to take place on 31 July at the Old Bailey.

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