Animal mask-wearing newlyweds jailed over bid to kill stepmother

LOW INTELLIGENCE WAS 'NO EXCUSE'

- CARL JACKSON Court Reporter

A NEWLY-WED couple who tried to murder the groom's stepmother have been jailed.

Wasif Hussain, 21, and Nabela Tabassum, 19, wore animal masks from Poundland as they attacked Arifa Nazmin at the home they all shared in Midhurst Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, on Monday, January 29 last year.

The couple resented the victim and branded her a "gold digger" after she accused them of treating the house like a "hotel" and not washing up properly.

Hussain began the attack by hitting Mrs Nazmin in the head with a hammer before strangling, punching and stabbing her repeatedly. Tabassum held her down and handed her husband a knife.

They had also plotted to burn the house down but fled to Bolton after failing to kill Mrs Nazmin.

At Birmingham Crown Court yesterday, Hussain, who has autism, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Tabassum, who was assessed as having a low IQ, received nine years.

Both of them will serve two thirds of the terms in custody before being released.

Hussain's mother died in 2016, after which his father, Mohammed, starting a new relationship with Mrs Nazmin.

Addressing Hussain, Judge Paul Farrer KC said: "As you grew up you had a difficult relationship with your father, which you described to the jury as being 'love, hate.' You appeared to have a better relationship with Mrs Nazmin, who became your stepmother and who you told the jury loved you.

"The dynamic in the house changed in December 2023 as a result of two events.

"Firstly your siblings, who undoubtedly provided you with emotional support, left the house, probably because they wished to distance themselves from your father.

"Secondly, you married Nabela Tabassum who you had met a few months earlier online. She moved into the family home on January 7, 2024.