A man who stalked his estranged wife before fatally stabbing her 26 times as she pushed their 7-month-old son in a stroller on the streets of England has been sentenced to life in prison. The Bradford Crown Court judge handed down a minimum 28-year life imprisonment to Habibur Rahman Masum, 26, of Burnley, Lancashire. This sentencing comes after Masum was found guilty of murdering Kulsuma Akter, 27, on April 6, 2024, while she was shopping in Bradford.
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Akter had been residing in a safe house after receiving threatening messages from her estranged husband, Masum, which included photos and videos of the area where she was staying. Prosecutors revealed that she had moved into the safe house in January following an incident where Masum held a knife to her throat at their home in Oldham. Masum had been observed loitering near the safe house before the fatal attack occurred, indicating premeditation.
On the day of the tragic event, Akter was out with her son and a friend when Masum confronted her, attempting to reconcile their relationship. When she refused, he viciously attacked her in full view of the public, stabbing her multiple times leading to her untimely death later that day. The court heard that Masum inflicted fatal wounds on Akter’s neck, even stamping on her before cutting her throat.
Following the brutal attack, Masum callously walked away and was captured on surveillance video boarding public transportation with a smile on his face. Despite a three-day manhunt, Masum was finally apprehended on April 9. In the subsequent trial, he was convicted of murder, assault, threats to kill, and stalking. While Masum pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possessing a bladed knife, the prosecution pursued charges of murder and other offenses.
The court case highlighted the violent and dangerous nature of Masum, who subjected his wife to domestic abuse and violence, leading to her tragic demise. Marie Walsh, Senior Crown Prosecution for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, emphasized the calculated and heartless nature of the murder, reflecting on Masum’s inability to accept the end of the relationship and his subsequent violent actions.
Masum, originally from Bangladesh, may face deportation by the Home Office 36 months before the minimum term, as his visa expired in June. He had been studying English literature at the University of Bedfordshire on a graduate visa. The proceedings showcased the devastating impact of domestic violence and the need for support for victims to prevent such tragedies.
To report domestic violence or seek help, individuals can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for confidential assistance in over 170 languages. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing domestic abuse to safeguard vulnerable individuals in our communities.