“It is a powerful motivation for what he did."
Mohammed Malik, aged 58, of Nelson, Lancashire, was jailed for 13 years after he killed his son-in-law’s mother with an axe over a marriage feud.
Preston Crown Court heard that one of Malik’s daughters was married to Wasim Ahmed.
The couple had split acrimoniously and there were ongoing disputes between the pair, of which Malik was aware.
In the days leading up to the attacks, Malik was “seriously provoked” by Wasim.
In July 2021, Malik – armed with an axe – drove to the Ahmed’s home looking for Wasim.
He then attacked Wasim’s parents, Ishrat and Afaq Ahmed, in the doorway of their home.
At his trial, prosecutor Peter Storrie QC 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.”
Ishrat suffered serious head injuries and later died in hospital.
Afaq suffered serious brain injuries but has since recovered.
Following the axe attack, Malik drove back to his home where he was arrested a short time later.
Police said the axe was found “hidden in the back garden”.
Malik denied murder and manslaughter. While the jury found him not guilty of Ishrat’s murder, they convicted him of her manslaughter.
Malik also admitted wounding Afaq but the jury cleared him of attempted murder.
On February 11, 2022, Malik was jailed for a total of 13 years.
He was also sentenced to two and a half years for the wounding.
After sentencing, Afaq said his wife was “my best friend, my soulmate, my rock and support system”.
He added:
“Losing my wife is like my heart has been ripped out of me.”
Detective Chief Inspector Allen Davies, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said:
“Ishrat Ahmed was killed in the most brutal fashion and her husband seriously injured at the hands of Mohammed Malik, who had driven to their home address armed with an axe and who proceeded to carry out an attack of savage ferocity.
“My thoughts today remain with the Ahmed family who have behaved with incredible dignity through this court process.
“I hope that today’s sentence gives them some sense that justice has been served and that they can continue with their lives.”
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