A woman has been left with long term physical and mental injuries after being repeatedly bludgeoned over the head with a crow bar and stabbed by a man who had abseiled into her Fulham flat.

Fatmir Stafasani left his victim for dead and she needed life-saving emergency treatment at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington following the horrifying attack on March 20.

The 49-year-old Albanian was found guilty of attempted murder and aggravated burglary on Tuesday (November 21) following a trial at Southwark Crown Court in which he remained silent throughout.

He was sentenced to 29 years in prison on Thursday (November 23).

The court was told Stafasani knew his victim, a woman in her 40s, and lay in wait for her to return home before launching his “heinous” attack.

Police were called to Seagrave Road at around 2.45pm by paramedics to reports of a badly injured woman.

They quickly identified that the injuries were as a result of an attack that had taken place in her flat, and an investigation was launched by Hammersmith and Fulham Police .

Officers found the attacker had gained entry to the roof of the block, where he had set up a makeshift climbing rig and abseiled into the victim’s flat via a skylight.

Fatmir Stafasani bludgeoned and stabbed his victim after abseiling into her home and lying in wait for her

He waited there for approximately an hour for the victim to return at around 2.30pm before bludgeoning her with a crowbar, stabbing her with a knife and leaving her for dead.

He stole no items from her home.

The victim managed to crawl to a neighbour’s flat and raised the alarm before falling unconscious.

Fatmir Stafasani abseiled into the victim’s flat via a skylight

She had suffered five skull fractures, a fractured hand and fingers, and lacerations to her hand, and spent nine days in a coma.

Police say she continues to suffer physical and emotional injury as a result of the attack.

The suspect was soon identified as Stafasani, who lived in Brunswick Court, Islington, and knew the victim. His DNA was found at the scene.

The 49-year-old is seen leaving his victim's flat in Fulham with the crowbar he attacked her with

He was arrested in Brent on May 11 and charged the following day.

The Albanian was sentenced to a total of 18 years imprisonment for the attempted murder and 11 years for aggravated burglary. The sentences will run concurrently.

The judge also issued him with an extended licence of four years due to him being deemed a dangerous offender.

Stafasani was captured at the address in Seagrave Road, Fulham, by CCTV

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Damian Ash said afterwards: “This was a particularly heinous attack in the victim’s own home, which involved careful and premeditated planning by Stafasani.

“He abseiled into her flat and lay in wait before carrying out a vicious attack and leaving her for dead.

Fatmir Stafasani seen leaving the scene

“We do not know the motive behind this attack. Fatmir Stafasani has remained silent throughout, and even now has shown no emotion.”

He paid tribute to the courage shown by the victim since the attack, and added: “The investigation team and I hope she can continue to make the best possible recovery.”

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