Birmingham Couple Guilty of Attempted Murder in Animal Mask Attack

By Jason KingBy Jason King

A youngBirmingham coupleBirmingham couplewho attacked a woman with ahammer and knifehammer and knifewhile wearinganimal masksanimal maskshave been found guilty ofattempted murderattempted murder.

Wasif HussainWasif Hussain, 21, and his wifeNabela TabassumNabela Tabassum, 19, ambushed Hussain’s stepmother,Arifa NazminArifa Nazmin, in the kitchen of their family home onMidhurst Road, Kings NortonMidhurst Road, Kings Norton, on January 29 last year.

The couple attacked Nazmin with ahammer andhammer andknifeknifeknife, with Hussain striking her and Tabassum holding her legs. The court heard that Hussain shouted,“you will die for everything you have done.”“you will die for everything you have done.”

Tabassum, who has a learning difficulties (low IQlow IQ)admitted feeling overwhelmed by the domestic tension, saying she had contemplatedsuicidesuicidedue to constant criticism from herstepmother-in-lawstepmother-in-law. Hussain, who hasautismautism, claimed they feltunwelcomeunwelcomein the house.

Theunemployed coupleunemployed couple, whose families had encouraged them tomarrymarryafter discovering theironline relationshiponline relationship, blamed Hussain’s father’s new wife for making their livesunbearableunbearable. After the attack, they planned tokill both parentskill both parents, burn the house to destroy evidence, andflee to Boltonflee to Boltonfor a new life.

Nazmin fought back withdeterminationdeterminationto save herself, forcing the couple to eventually relent, with Hussainshiftingshiftingfrom thehammer attackhammer attackto atirade and ranttirade and rantagainst his father and stepmother. Despite suffering astab woundstab woundanddefensive injuriesdefensive injuries, she managed toescapeescapeandcall for helpcall for help.

Hussain and Tabassum fled to aTravelodge in BoltonTravelodge in Bolton, where they werearrestedarrestedin the early hours of the next day. On March 27, Hussain was unanimously convicted ofattempted murderattempted murderatBirmingham Crown CourtBirmingham Crown Court, while Tabassum was found guilty by a majority of 11 to 1. They will besentenced on May 21sentenced on May 21.

ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and SentencingACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing

As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:

Understanding Attempted Murder and SentencingUnderstanding Attempted Murder and Sentencing

In the UK,attempted murderattempted murderis a serious criminal offence under theCriminal Attempts Act 1981Criminal Attempts Act 1981. To secure a conviction, the prosecution must prove that the accused not only intended to kill but also took significant steps toward committing the act. Unlike murder, where the victim dies, attempted murder involves a failed or incomplete act of killing.

Themaximum sentencemaximum sentencefor attempted murder islife imprisonmentlife imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of the intent to take a life. In determining the sentence, courts consider factors such aspremeditationpremeditation, theuse of weaponsuse of weapons, and theimpact on the victimimpact on the victim. Aggravating factors, like the use of a knife or hammer as in this case, can increase the severity of the sentence.

Judges have some discretion in setting theminimum termminimum termbefore parole can be considered. However, even after serving the minimum term, an offender will only be released if theParole BoardParole Boarddeems them no longer a danger to the public. If released, they remain onlicence for lifelicence for lifeand can be recalled to prison if they breach the conditions of their release.

This case highlights how the justice system handlespremeditated violent attackspremeditated violent attacks, emphasizing that those who plan and attempt to take a life will facesignificant custodial sentencessignificant custodial sentences.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Jason KingJason King

Birmingham City-DeskBirmingham City-Desk

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