The boy who died trying to save his mum

“Kuba, please help me!”

Hearing his mum’s desperate screams, Jakub Szymanski charged downstairs without hesitation. He was met with a scene of pure horror.

His mum, Katarzyna Bastek, was covered in blood. Her attacker, standing over her, held a large bloodied knife. His face was behind a surgical face mask. But his vacant stare was one he was all too familiar with.

Jakub moved towards the knifeman, intent on preventing any further attacks but was punched to the face.

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He fell to the floor as the two began to tussle. Moments later their lives changed forever.

The man responsible for the horror that occurred at Bednal Avenue in Miles Platting is now starting a life sentence for Jakub’s murder. Suleman Altaf, 45, will serve at least 30 years inside before being considered for release by the parole board.

Having destroyed the family, Altaf ran, and in a desperate attempt to evade justice, he hopped into a dinghy and tried to sail across the English Channel. His pathetic attempts were futile, and he was brought back to face the consequences.

For Ms Bastek, a mum of four, his capture can serve but little comfort following the devastating loss of her Kuba. She had met Altaf in 2012 over the internet whilst still living in her native Poland. A relationship developed after she moved to the UK a year later and they shared a son.

But things between them became toxic, and they split up in 2015. Family court proceedings were imminent over the boy, as Altaf unsuccessfully tried to get access to him.

And so his bitter resentment towards his ex grew. On June 9 last year, Ms Bastek was on a FaceTime call to a friend when she heard a noise behind her.

Suleman