"he wanted to avenge the humiliation"
Mohammed Yaqub Malik, aged 58, of Nelson, Lancashire, was convicted of manslaughter after he killed a woman with an axe.
Preston Crown Court heard that he attacked his former son-in-law’s parents with an axe during a family dispute.
Malik “lost control” when he killed Ishrat Ahmed and seriously injured her husband Afaq Ahmed, the parents of his former son-in-law Wasim Ahmed.
In the days leading up to the attacks in July 2020, Malik was “seriously provoked” by Wasim.
Wasim had married Malik’s daughter, Fatima, against her family’s wishes. The marriage soon deteriorated.
The couple split up and there were ongoing disputes between the pair, of which Malik was aware.
On the day of the incident, the family called the police, claiming Wasim had posted “sexual material” online about their daughter, amid other accusations.
Peter Storrie QC, prosecuting, said: “It is his explanation he should be excused some of what he did because of Wasim Ahmed.
“It is a powerful motivation for what he did.
“Because of Wasim Ahmed, he lost his temper and because of Wasim Ahmed, he sought to do harm to Wasim’s parents.
“He despised Wasim Ahmed and he wanted to avenge the humiliation he had heaped upon him.”
Malik picked up an axe from his garden and left his home at around 10 pm. He drove to the Ahmeds’ home on Roberts Street to confront Wasim.
When Ishrat opened the door, he swung the axe at her before swinging it at her husband.
Ishrat suffered serious head injuries and later died in hospital.
Afaq suffered serious brain injuries but has since recovered.
Following the attack, Malik drove back home, stopping to ask a pedestrian if they knew where Wasim was.
The witness said Malik was covered in blood and the weapon was in full view in his car.
Police found him at his home. He admitted attacking them but denied murder.
The axe was found hidden in the back garden.
Healthcare worker Malik admitted manslaughter and denied murder and attempted murder.
The jury found Malik not guilty of murder and attempted murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Allen Davies, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said:
“My thoughts today are first and foremost with the loved ones of Ishrat Ahmed who was killed in the most brutal fashion.
“Mohammed Malik launched an attack of unsparing violence on the Ahmed’s using a weapon he had chosen and taken to their home address.
“I would like to thank the prosecution team for their presentation of this case and accept the jury’s decision today.”
Malik will be sentenced on February 11, 2022.
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