BRADFORD MAN GETS 6.5 YEARS FOR KILLING SISTER-IN-LAW IN ROAD RAGE ATTACK
A prison sentence of six and a half years has been given to Shahir Hussain after he was convicted of causing the death of his sister-in-law, Tasleem Begum, by running her over.The incident occurred on June 15, 1995, when Hussain’s car struck her while she was waiting at a street corner.
He then reversed his vehicle and ran over her again before fleeing the scene.
Hussain, a resident of Fitzroy Road in Bradford, initially denied murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of provocation, which the court accepted.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Hodson told Hussain that he would need to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life, highlighting that the death of a young woman resulted from his conduct.
Hussain’s family, who are of Pakistani origin and have lived in the UK for a lengthy period, were deeply impacted by the tragedy.
Following the incident, Hussain fled to Pakistan but eventually returned of his own accord.
His solicitor noted that his voluntary return was important because he could have stayed in Pakistan, where extradition may have been more difficult.
The case generated public outrage, particularly among women’s groups and the Pakistani community.
Shamshad Hussain from the Keighley Domestic Violence Forum remarked that the leniency of the sentence and the guilty plea suggested “Asian women’s lives are cheap,” expressing concern over the message it sent about violence against women.
Several community members voiced worries about how such cases are perceived and the implications for how violence towards women is viewed.
Hussain’s lawyer indicated he may be eligible for parole as soon as next year, while Hussain himself was seen as relieved by the court’s verdict.
The court paid attention to Hussain’s cultural background, recognizing the stress he faced, and aimed to balance the severity of the penalty with an understanding of the circumstances and the tragic loss of life involved.
