Court Hears Deaf Woman Was Brutally Attacked and Left to Die by Ravers
A profoundly deaf young woman was punched in the neck and left dying on the street after being thrown from an overcrowded car in a horrific attack, the Old Bailey has been told. Zahwa Mukhtar, a 27-year-old aspiring accountant, was allegedly assaulted by Duane Owusu, nicknamed Nasty, in the early hours of Saturday, August 16 last year in Chadwell Heath, Romford.
Witness Describes Chaotic Night and Fatal Assault
Paige Allen, giving evidence behind a screen, told jurors that Ms Mukhtar had latched onto her group of friends after they attended a rave in Hackney, east London. The group was taking laughing gas in the street before deciding to head home to Dagenham. Ms Allen said Ms Mukhtar jumped into the car uninvited, describing her behavior as chaotic and suggesting she might have been on drugs.
Ms Allen testified that Ms Mukhtar was sitting on Owusu's lap in the Mercedes, with the group allowing her to join them. During the journey, Ms Mukhtar allegedly called Ms Allen white trash, poked her shoulder, and grabbed her hair. When Ms Mukhtar appeared to be recording on her phone, Owusu demanded the driver stop the car in Chadwell Heath.
Violent Ejection and Fatal Blow
Weeping in court, Ms Allen described the subsequent violence. Owusu shouted You dumb bitch before throwing Ms Mukhtar's phone and ejecting her from the vehicle. Ms Mukhtar was on the ground outside the car, holding onto Owusu and pleading with him to stop. Owusu then aimed two kicks at her before swinging his arm and delivering a punching motion with his fist to her neck.
Ms Allen and another female friend tried to intervene, but Owusu was uncontrollable with rage. She described him as looking like a monster and screaming at them to get back in the car. Ms Mukhtar fell backwards, and when Ms Allen attempted to help her, Owusu screamed at her to get in the vehicle.
Callous Departure and Discovery
As the car drove away, there was shouting among the occupants, none of whom agreed with Owusu's actions. The driver turned back to check on Ms Mukhtar, but Owusu allegedly shouted, Just leave her alone. No-one cares about her. The car then drove off and was stopped by police up the road.
The Mercedes occupants were detained for approximately 50 minutes before officers investigated reports from two members of the public about a woman on the pavement. Ms Mukhtar was found unresponsive at 5:31 am and was pronounced dead at 6:21 am despite efforts by police and paramedics. She had suffered a fatal brain injury.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Ms Allen told jurors she began to panic after learning police had visited Owusu's home later that morning, realizing something terrible had happened to Ms Mukhtar. She and others booked into a hotel in Dagenham out of fear of being caught up in the incident. Ms Allen was attending a birthday party in Devon when she learned police had visited her grandmother's house looking for her, after which she contacted officers and made a statement.
In court, Ms Allen expressed regret, saying, I wish I'd helped her and she listened to me and not got in the car. Duane Owusu, from Dagenham, has pleaded not guilty to murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter. The trial at the Old Bailey continues.
Tributes to a Humble and Sweet Woman
The deaf community in East London has paid heartfelt tribute to Zahwa Mukhtar, describing her as a humble and sweet woman who was deeply involved in community activities. Friends said the 27-year-old regularly attended Hackney Deaf Club to support the group.
Club organizer Tahene Howell said the community is heartbroken by Zahwa's death, noting that she touched many people with her lovely personality and good energy. She was someone you could not forget, Howell said. She always had good energy, and was smiling. I am so devastated. I can't believe it.
Howell added that Zahwa did extensive volunteer work and had a natural skill for socializing, describing her as a ray of sunshine who lit up rooms with her confidence, humility, and kindness. Lucy Deeble, known as the artist Signmusic and a BSL interpreter, said Zahwa was always spreading kindness and was an unforgettable presence at Hackney Deaf Club.
Deeble expressed the community's grief, saying, Now that she has sadly passed away, we want to say how much we love her, and how deeply she will be missed. Zahwa touched so many lives with her warmth and compassion, and her memory will live on in all of us. She was taken too soon. She had more life to live. She wasn't ready.
