A Gambian man who brutally stabbed his wife to death while their four children were inside their home has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Edinburgh.

Momodou Bobb, 56, was ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years and eight months before he can apply for parole after admitting to the murder of his wife, Ndata Bobb, 42.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Bobb stabbed his wife at least 22 times using two knives during a frenzied attack at their family home on Restalrig Avenue in August last year.

Ndata suffered multiple wounds to her face, head, neck, chest, abdomen, back and arm. A fatal stab wound severed her jugular vein.

Sentencing Bobb, Judge Lady Haldane described the killing as “a frenzied attack” on a woman he claimed to love.

“No credible explanation has been offered for the violence inflicted on your spouse,” she told him, noting that the victim had defensive injuries on her arms, indicating she tried to protect herself during the assault.

Lady Haldane added that the impact on the family had been devastating, especially for the couple’s children and Ndata’s relatives.

“One of her sisters described the loss in such horrific circumstances as unbearable,” the judge said.

The court heard that one of the children dialled 999 to report a “fight” between the couple. Police arrived at the scene and found Bobb wearing only boxer shorts, with blood on his hands, chest and feet.

Advocate depute Lisa Gillespie KC told the court that Bobb appeared calm when officers arrived. He reportedly pointed police to where his wife was lying face down on the floor.

“She was not moving and had numerous wounds to her face, neck, chest and arms,” the prosecutor said. “Blood had pooled around her and was splattered up the wall next to her.”

Two blood-stained knives were later recovered from the kitchen table.

Emergency responders attempted to revive Ndata before she was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but doctors were unable to save her.

Investigators later established that the couple had argued before the killing and that Ndata had refused to speak to Bobb. A witness reportedly heard her screaming “leave me alone” shortly before the attack.

Bobb also sustained knife injuries and was treated in hospital. While receiving treatment, he allegedly told medical staff that he and his wife had been fighting and that the knife had slipped.

The court heard that Bobb moved from The Gambia to the United Kingdom in 1995 and was granted indefinite leave to remain in 2002.

Ndata, who had previously worked in banking, relocated to the UK after marrying him in 2018 following the death of her first husband from cancer.

Defence lawyer Brian McConnachie KC said Bobb denied previous domestic abuse allegations and remained deeply attached to his children.

He also told the court that UK authorities were expected to begin deportation proceedings against Bobb following his sentence.

Following the ruling, Moira Orr, homicide lead for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, condemned the killing as another tragic example of violence against women.

“Momodou Bobb murdered Ndata Bobb in her own home — a place where she had every right to feel safe,” she said.

Police Scotland also expressed condolences to the family and said efforts would continue to strengthen trust between law enforcement and African communities in Edinburgh.