Husband Jailed After Setting Wife On Fire Fatally Injuring Her

A man who killed his wife after setting her on fire after pouring white spirit on her during a row while decorating, has been convicted of her murder and sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in jail.

Birmingham Crown Court heard how Muhammed Hammad, aged 30, set fire to Nazia Aktar during an argument at their home in Fox Hollies Road in Acocks Green on April 25, 2015.

He then poured some white spirit on to himself, before setting himself on fire in an effort to cover his tracks. 

Hammad initially claimed the fire had been caused accidently when a cigarette set alight some white spirit that had been spilt during the decorating.

Nazia, aged 31, who worked as a full-time carer, suffered 60% burns to her face, ears, neck body, arm and leg following the fire.
She died of her injuries in hospital on 12 June, 2015.

The couple lived together in a flat in Fox Hollies Road, after meeting in 2013 and marrying the year after.

While decorating the bathroom in April last year, neighbours were alerted to screams and found the couple staggering out of the flat having suffered severe burns. Both Nazia and Hammad explained the injuries as a result of an accidental spillage of white liquid, which caught fire when a cigarette was dropped.

Due to the severity of their injuries, both were taken to hospital and placed into induced comas.

Fire investigators and medical experts however began to question the that the extensive injuries to Nazia were caused accidently and while in hospital, Nazia told family and health workers that Hammad has deliberately set fire to her after arguing.

She claimed Hammad was controlling and had only married her to stay in the country. Nazia said she had asked him to leave which resulted in him throwing white spirit over her and setting her alight, before setting himself on fire to try and make it look like an accident.

Nazia took a turn for the worse in June and died after never regaining consciousness.

Hammad, who was in the country illegally, was arrested and charged with her murder in June 2015.

Detective Inspector Justin Spanner, who led the murder investigation, said: “This was an unusual investigation where the victim, Nazia Akhtar, awoke from a coma and was able to give us an account of the circumstances leading to her sustaining her injuries. Her account was recorded and played to the jury. They were able to hear it in her own words. She was unaware she would pass away as a result of the deep burn injuries.

"Muhammad Hammad, deliberately set fire to his wife. Then, to cover his tracks, he poured some white spirit on himself and set it alight. He told Nazia "That no one would believe her if she told them what happened." He tried to maintain that Nazia had set herself on fire and he was merely trying to put her out.

"Our thoughts go out to Nazia’s family who have lost their loved one in such tragic circumstances. I hope they are able to find some closure in the sentence that the court has imposed on Muhammad Hammad."

Sana Mohammed, Nazia’s sister-in-law, said: “Nazia was a loving daughter, sister and aunty and did not deserve to suffer in the horrific way she did. Her death has had a huge impact on everyone’s lives and out thoughts and prayers will always be with her.
“She worked hard as a carer and loved her job. She was a happy, bubbly, friendly person, who put her trust in everyone. She had a lot of love for all, she was like a child with the children and a warm hearted and respectful person with the elders-she was very humble.

“Nazia was a very pretty young woman, who always enjoyed looking her best- she was outgoing and enjoyed going on holidays.

“She was very kind, sweet and loving, it’s such a shame she never met anyone who was like her; to be liked is such a way by the person who is supposed to be her life partner is just horrible to accept and to come to terms with.

“We would like to thank those heroes who helped release Nazia from the flat we are overwhelmed with what you did on the evening of 25th April 2015. Thank you to all the staff in Critical Care Unit at Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital who did their very best to try and save Nazia and all the medical attention and treatment that she was given during her time at the hospital. Sadly she passed away on Friday 12th June.

“Words are never enough to describe Nazia, She is a big loss to the family and has left a deep hole inside us.
“Love you Nazia, Your out of our sights but never out of our hearts, gone but never forgotten you are now in heaven and In Sha Allah one day Allah will re-unite us all. “

DI Spanner added: "Domestic violence is a crime. We have specialist officers in our public protection unit who have the knowledge and tactics they need to protect people from harm and I would urge anyone suffering domestic abuse to call us on 101."

Information and advice can also be found on our website www.west-midlands.police.uk or at www.thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk