Husband Sentenced to Life in Prison for Brutal Murder of Wife in Front of Infant Son

In a heart-wrenching twist of fate, Habibur Masum, 27, has been handed a life sentence with a minimum of 28 years behind bars for the brutal stabbing murder of his estranged wife, Kulsuma Akter, 27. The heinous crime, which occurred in front of their infant son, has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond.

On April 6, 2024, Kulsuma, who had been living in a refuge in Bradford after escaping an abusive relationship with Masum, was stabbed 26 times in what the judge described as a "vicious and merciless" attack. Despite the unimaginable pain and terror, their baby, who was seated in a pram, miraculously remained unharmed throughout the ordeal.

In a shocking revelation, it was discovered that Masum had been tracking his wife's whereabouts through her phone's location app. He had orchestrated a plan to lure her out of the refuge, eventually confronting her in the city center and carrying out the horrific attack. Following the gruesome incident, CCTV footage captured Masum casually strolling away from the scene as if nothing had happened.

Throughout the trial, a chilling picture emerged of Masum's twisted mind. He had sent threatening messages to Kulsuma's family, promising to harm them if she did not return to him. Even more disturbingly, he had attempted to lure her out of the refuge by sending fake messages from a local GP practice. It was clear that Masum would stop at nothing to get his way, even if it meant taking the life of the mother of his child.

After a lengthy trial, the jury found Masum guilty of murder, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday. The judge, Mr. Justice Cotter, condemned Masum's actions as "callous and shocking," emphasizing the profound impact the murder would have on the family and community.

When asked about the emotional toll of the tragedy, Kulsuma's brother, Emran Hussain, stated, "Nothing can ever prepare you for the shock of learning that a family member has been murdered." He went on to say that the loss of his beloved sister would forever haunt him and his family.

In addition to the life sentence, Masum was also convicted of assault by beating, making a threat to kill, and stalking. The court heard that the couple's son had been taken into care following Kulsuma's death, leaving the young child without a mother and at the mercy of the social services system.

As the legal proceedings concluded, family members expressed their hope that Masum's imprisonment would bring some measure of comfort to those affected by his heinous actions. They also emphasized the importance of raising awareness about domestic violence and ensuring that no other family has to endure the same unimaginable pain and grief.

With the case now closed, the focus has shifted to supporting the grieving family and ensuring that the memory of Kulsuma Akter is not forgotten. Her life, though tragically cut short, will forever remain a testament to the strength and resilience of those who fight against domestic violence and abuse.