A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of his estranged wife, whom he stabbed multiple times as she pushed their baby in a pram in Bradford. Habibur Masum, 26, from Burnley, Lancashire, was convicted of murder at Bradford Crown Court in June after a trial.
Kulsuma Akter, 27, was shopping in Bradford when Masum confronted her. She had fled their home due to his violence and was living in a refuge. Masum tracked her down, sending menacing messages containing threats to kill and photos of the safe house. On the day of the attack, he stabbed her more than 25 times in broad daylight on a busy street. She died later that day.
Masum fled the scene but was arrested three days later in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, after a manhunt. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the prosecution proceeded with a murder trial. The judge described the attack as 'sustained and excessively violent' and noted that Masum's preparation was 'calculating behaviour'.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Cotter stated that the nature of the attack proved Masum intended to kill. He also highlighted the difficulty of protecting women in refuges from determined abusers. Akter's family described her as a 'much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and mother', expressing profound grief and vowing never to forgive the 'monster' who took her life.
