Jail for masked couple who tried to murder stepmother

A married couple have been jailed for the attempted murder of the husband’s stepmother, an attack carried out with a hammer and knife, while wearing animal masks purchased from Poundland.

- SOPHIE ROBINSON

Wasif Hussain, 21, and his wife Nabela Tabassum, 19, were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday for the attempted murder of Arifa Nazmin in Kings Norton, Birmingham, on the evening of 29 January last year.

The court heard that the attack, which took place inside the family home, was captured by a CCTV camera. During the incident, Hussain struck Ms Nazmin's head with a hammer before strangling and stabbing her, while his wife held her down.

Both Hussain and Tabassum, of Midhurst Road, Kings Norton, had denied attempted murder but were convicted by a jury in March. Hussain was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Tabassum received a nine-year jail term.

Ms Nazmin complained to Tabassum's parents that she did not help around the house, which increased the couple's "resentment and anger" towards her, the court was told.

The court heard the couple planned to "burn the body", but Ms Nazmin was able to lock herself in a room and call the police after she was attacked.

Sentencing the pair yesterday, Judge Paul Farrer KC said: "I have no doubt you were both well aware that what you embarked upon was seriously wrong. You attacked Mrs Nazmin in her own home. Following the attack, she felt compelled to leave her home.