The widow of a man who died after being stabbed in a botched robbery in the family home has told how she will be haunted by what happened for the rest of her life.

Dad-of-three Khalfan Seif, 33, was stabbed in the stomach after three men burst into his home in Springdale Avenue, Thornton Lodge. He died the following day after surgery.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Khalfan was a “small time cannabis dealer” and his attackers, all drug users, wanted to steal his cannabis.

One of Khalfan’s three young sons saw his father fatally stabbed and his mother robbed of her phone.

After two brothers were found guilty of Khalfan’s murder and were jailed for a combined minimum of 51 years, his widow Louise Dyson issued a statement saying how the family’s world had been turned upside down by what happened on January 14 2023.

She said: “Not only did I lose my husband but I also lost my soulmate and my three children lost their father. The dreadful impact on my wellbeing and that of our children is frankly hard to even begin to describe.

“Our eldest boy was witness to the robbery committed against me and saw his father dying in the street. He cannot talk about what he witnessed or how he feels about losing his father but the anger and grief he feels is always there, dreadfully affecting his mental health.

“My children no longer have a father figure to look up to and I no longer have a husband and partner. I will never forget the day Khalfan was murdered. It will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

Brothers Amaan Ansar, 20, and Sahil Ansar, 19, who also lived in Springdale Avenue, were both found guilty of murder and received life sentences.

Amman Ansar, also convicted of robbery, must serve a minimum of 26 years while Sahil Ansar has a 25-year minimum term.

A third man, Wahaab Saif, 19, of Crosland Moor, was sentenced to 14 years for manslaughter with a minimum term of nine years and two months before release on licence.

The sentences given to Amann and Sahil Ansar took into account separate, unrelated crimes from other incidents they were also convicted for at the hearing.

Amann and Sahil Ansar with (right) Wahaab Saif

Sentencing, Mr Justice Richard Jacobs said there was nothing in Khalfan’s life to justify what happened. “He was entitled to live his life and see his children grow up,” he said.

Police were called to Springdale Avenue at 11.17pm on Saturday January 14 after the three had knocked on the kitchen door and then burst in, threatening Khalfan with a large knife.

One of the suspects also entered the sitting room and threatened Louise with a knife while demanding her phone. She handed it over and fled through the front door with their children to get help.

Moments later she saw her husband who had staggered into the street having suffered a serious stab wound to the stomach. He was taken to hospital but died the next evening despite having surgery.

Det Chief Insp Damian Roebuck, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “The brutal murder of Khalfan was an absolute tragedy for his family and we are glad to see these three men jailed for their roles in this dreadful crime.

“The level of violence used in this savage and completely unnecessary attack was such that despite swift emergency medical attention, Khalfan’s injuries proved to be unsurvivable.

“Khalfan’s wife Louise was also terrorised by these men as were their children, only adding to the ordeal the family suffered.”

He added: “I want to commend the bravery of Khalfan’s family as they continue to come to terms with the loss of a loving husband, father and friend.

“They conducted themselves with the utmost dignity throughout the trial, and I am glad for them it finished with the guilt proved of those who took Khalfan’s life.

“Nothing will bring Khalfan back to them but I hope his wife and children can take some small measure of comfort from seeing these men jailed.”