Key facts
- Habibur Rahman Masum has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 28 years for murder.
- Masum stabbed his estranged wife, Kulsuma Akter, multiple times in front of their baby in Bradford.
- Akter was living in a refuge at the time of the attack.
- Masum had previously sent menacing messages and threats to kill to Akter.
- He was convicted of murder, assault, making threats to kill, and stalking.
Habibur Rahman Masum, 26, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of his estranged wife, Kulsuma Akter. The attack occurred in Bradford as Akter was pushing their seven-month-old son in a pram.
Masum tracked Akter to a refuge where she had gone to escape his "violence, jealousy and controlling behaviour." He confronted her outside a shop, and after she refused his attempts at reconciliation, he stabbed her at least 26 times. Akter died later the same day.
Masum had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a bladed knife, but the prosecution proceeded to trial on the murder charge, which they proved. He was convicted of murder, assault, making threats to kill, and stalking.
Kulsuma's family stated that they would 'never forgive the monster' who took her life, adding that no amount of prison time would change the life sentence they have endured. They described her as a "much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and mother" and expressed profound emptiness and a painful void in their lives.