"He values life at £800 as that it what he stole."
Quyum Miah, aged 41, of Hackney, London, has been jailed for life for murdering his estranged wife to rob her to fuel his drug habit.
On March 24, 2022, Yasmin Begum was found collapsed inside her home in Bethnal Green after concerned school staff turned up when she failed to collect her children.
Miah stabbed his estranged wife repeatedly and took the jewellery she was wearing as well as her bank card.
The couple had separated and divorce proceedings were underway.
In the hours after the murder, Miah used Ms Begum’s card to withdraw £800. Two days later, he pawned two pieces of jewellery for around £200.
He was always the key suspect and forensic analysis of CCTV and other physical evidence helped connect him to the crime.
Miah was arrested at an address in Plaistow on March 27 and items stained with Ms Begum’s blood were found.
He was found guilty of murder after admitting theft and two counts of fraud at an earlier hearing.
On behalf of the victim’s family, Ms Begum’s brother Atik Zaman said:
“Firstly we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the detectives who worked so tirelessly to collect the evidence that caught Yasmin’s killer.
“Without their efforts, he may have gone on to put another family through this nightmare.
“An evil creature was found guilty of murder, fraud and burglary.
“A creature that should never be allowed to walk the streets again.
“He chose to murder a daughter, a mother, a sister for no reason other than financial gain.
“He values life at £800 as that it what he stole. He broke into our sister’s home and brutally murdered her then robbed her.
“We hope that he gets reminded every day of his measly existence, how evil he is, and what awaits him in the next life.
“We ask that our privacy be respected as we try to pick up the pieces and go on with our lives without Yasmin.”
In passing sentence, Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC said there was no doubt that Miah had murdered his estranged wife for financial gain.
Miah was jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 33 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who led the investigation said:
“Quyum Miah is a violent coward who ambushed Yasmin in her own home and brutally attacked her – she did not stand a chance.”
“Whether Miah was motivated by jealousy due to the impending divorce, or greed due to his callous actions in withdrawing cash and pawning jewellery immediately after the murder, remains unclear as he did not provide any straight answers during his police interviews.
“Instead, he refused to own up to his actions, continually lying and then changing his story when concrete evidence disproved his version of events.
“Yasmin was a young mother, who was about to embark on a new chapter of her life away from Miah.
“However, she was denied that opportunity in the most violent of circumstances.
“Miah has rightfully been found guilty of murder and will now face the consequences of his actions.
“I hope his conviction provides some small solace to Yasmin’s family and those who knew her.
“The length of this prison sentence reflects not only the violence that Quyum Miah inflicted that day, but also the premeditation involved in taking Yasmin’s life.
“Our thoughts remain with Yasmin’s family as they continue to struggle with their loss.”
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