Man Charged with Murder of Woman Stabbed in Bradford
LONDON — In a tragic incident, 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter was stabbed to death while pushing her baby in a pram in Bradford. The suspect, 25-year-old Habibur Masum from Burnley, has been charged with her murder after a four-day manhunt that ended with his arrest early Tuesday morning.
Masum is set to appear at Bradford Magistrates Court on Thursday. Additionally, four other men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and drug offenses. These men, all from the West Midlands area, were apprehended in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and are currently in police custody.
West Yorkshire Police also revealed that a 23-year-old man who was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail. Masum, who resides on Leamington Avenue, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article.
Ms. Akter was found seriously injured on Westgate in the city center around 15:21 BST on Saturday. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she tragically succumbed to her injuries. Fortunately, her baby was unharmed in the attack.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms. Akter’s cousin Aftab Miah expressed the family’s devastation over her untimely death. Describing her as “polite and humble” with a contagious sense of humor, Miah shared the heartbreak felt by her mother in Bangladesh.
Shaun Sigamoney from the CPS confirmed that the charges against Masum were authorized after reviewing evidence from West Yorkshire Police. “Our thoughts are with Kulsuma Akter’s family during this difficult time,” he added.
Following the tragic incident, West Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as they had prior contact with Ms. Akter before her death. Masum was arrested in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in the early hours of Tuesday. — BBC
