In a harrowing case of domestic violence, Habibur Masum has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of his estranged wife, Kulsuma Akter, in Bradford. The sentencing took place at Bradford Crown Court, where Masum was also convicted of assault, making threats to kill, and stalking.

A Calculated Attack

The tragic incident unfolded in April last year when Akter, 27, was fatally stabbed by Masum as she pushed their seven-month-old baby in a pram through the city centre. The child was unharmed. Akter had been living in a refuge since January, fleeing domestic abuse at the hands of Masum. Despite her efforts to find safety, Masum tracked her down using her phone's location app and confronted her on a busy street.

Preceding Threats and Stalking

The court heard that Masum had sent menacing messages to Akter, threatening to kill her family if she did not reconcile with him. He even resorted to sending fake messages from a local GP practice to lure her out of the refuge. On the day of the attack, Masum stabbed Akter more than 25 times in broad daylight, an act described by Mr Justice Cotter as "vicious and merciless."

Capture and Sentencing

Following the attack, Masum fled the scene but was captured on CCTV, leading to a three-day manhunt. He was eventually arrested in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, where he sought treatment for lockjaw. During sentencing, Mr Justice Cotter emphasized the premeditated nature of the attack, noting Masum's "calm and collected" demeanor as he carried out the murder.

Deportation Considerations

Masum, originally from Bangladesh, had been in the UK on a graduate visa, which expired in June. The Home Office will evaluate the possibility of his deportation 36 months before his minimum term concludes. The case underscores the challenges in protecting victims of domestic violence, even when they seek refuge.