20 Yrs. For Slashing, Barricading Ex-Wife In Hempstead: Nassau DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Connecticut man was sentenced this week to 20 years in prison for violently assaulting his ex-wife in her Hempstead apartment, prosecutors said.

Ubay Muhammad, 38, was convicted in April on charges that include first-degree assault, first-degree burglary, second-degree kidnapping and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

"With his two children watching and screaming in horror, this defendant lunged at his separated wife, dragged her into an empty elevator, and slashed her across the face as she struggled and fought to get away from his violence," Donnelly said. "The terror only continued when Ubay Muhammad shuttered himself and his victim in her apartment, threatening her with the blade until police arrived and knocked down the door."

Muhammad and the victim were going through separation and custody proceedings involving their shared children, Donnelly said. On November 10, 2022, Muhammad snuck into her building on Columbia Street, wearing dark clothing, glasses and a mask, Donnelly said.

The victim left her apartment with her 8- and 5-year-old children and took the elevator to the ground floor where he attacked her with a 13-inch knife, the D.A.'s office said.

Muhammad pulled the woman back into the elevator where he slashed her in the face, dragged her back into her apartment, and barricaded them both inside while he continued to threaten her with a knife.

After being rescued by police, the victim was taken to a hospital with a 4-inch-deep laceration to her face, which caused significant nerve damage and left a large scar, Donnelly said.

"This defendant’s attack permanently scarred this family physically and mentally, and his intense brutality will now cost him two decades of his freedom," Donnelly said.