Police seized 18 knives from Talaat Hawatt’s home just months before he allegedly murdered wife

Police allegedly discovered 18 knives and an axe hidden in the home of a Sydney couple during a welfare check, just months before the wife was fatally stabbed.

The crime scene established by police in Knox St, Belmore. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

A Sydney father allegedly told detectives his wife was murdered by an unknown intruder, just months after police seized almost two dozen knives and an axe from the home they shared.

Talaat Hawatt was charged with the murder of his wife Khouloud earlier this month, after her body was found inside their Belmore unit on December 11 – just one day before they were set to be evicted due to unpaid rent.

The Telegraph can reveal Mrs Hawatt had raised concern over her husband’s fixation with knives earlier this year.

Murder victim Khouloud Hawatt told police her husband had a fixation with knives.

In court documents, police allege they visited the home in February due to a concern for welfare.

While they were at the property, Mrs Hawatt told police her husband had knives hidden in their bedroom – which was in breach of a court order preventing him from possessing any weapons.

Police allegedly discovered a total of 18 knives, a knife sharpener and an axe – which were seized on the spot.

But police allege he murdered his wife sometime between 9pm on December 10 and 3.45am on December 11, stabbing her upwards of 30 times in the face, neck, arms and back in a brutal attack that began in the living room and ended in their bedroom.

In the documents, police allege neighbours heard screaming and “banging” sounds at the time of her death – which lasted for a period of around five minutes.

After allegedly stabbing her with a makeshift spear, he covered her body in blankets, hid the weapon under the bed and covered the blood soaked floors with sheets.

Talaat Hawatt has been charged with murdering his wife.

It’s alleged he then jumped in his car, stopped at a service station to buy lollies, and made a call to his mother, allegedly telling her he was planning to go overseas and that his wife of almost 10 years was dead.

When Mr Hawatt’s mother questioned what had happened to his wife, he allegedly told her: “There was an intruder that came in and killed her.”

His mother asked where he was when the alleged murder happened, court documents state, to which he allegedly replied: “We were sleeping. Don’t do any shiftys and tell anyone … I will go to the police and tell them what happened because they will want to investigate it.”

It’s alleged Mr Hawatt drove to his sister’s home some 50 minutes away in Denham Court, while his worried mother contacted police and asked them to check on Mrs Hawatt.

Police at the couple’s Belmore home following Khouloud’s death. Picture: NewsWire/Monique Harmer

Minutes later the Knox St apartment was declared a crime scene, as officers discovered Mrs Hawatt’s body inside.

Mr Hawatt was arrested shortly after at his sister’s home.

He was subject to an AVO preventing him from assaulting, threatening and harassing his wife at the time of her death.

Police alleged Hawatt continued the claim his wife was murdered by an intruder following his arrest.

He has been charged with murder and remains on remand in custody.

Originally published as Police seized 18 knives from Talaat Hawatt’s home just months before he allegedly murdered wife