‘Honour’ killer jailed for 20 years

A man who bludgeoned a 20-year-old to death with a hammer in an ‘honour killing’ has been jailed for life – after he spent 18 years hiding in the US. 

Mohammed Tabraz was jailed for at least 20 years today, after fleeing to Pakistan and then to New Jersey following the murder of Soheil Mumtaz, 24, who was lured from his home and beaten to death with a hammer in 2001. 

Tabraz, who was known as Tagga, was aged 20 when he launched the attack with such force that the hammer bent, because he believed Mr Mumtaz had ‘besmirched his sister’s honour’ by suggesting she was attractive.

Mr Mumtaz was kicked while on the ground during the ferocious attack in Kenilworth Road, Luton on April 4th 2001.

The married father-of-one, whose wife was pregnant with their second child, staggered to his home in nearby Avondale Road and died five days later in hospital.

Tabraz, now 39, fled first to his native Pakistan the next day and then lived in New Jersey as an illegal immigrant.

He was jailed for 6 years in the US in 2017 for his involvement in a heroin supply gang.

Soheil Mumtaz, 24, who was lured from his home and beaten to death with a hammer in 2001

Bedfordshire police were notified of his conviction and he was extradited in August this year, St Albans crown court heard.

In October he pleaded guilty to murder and appeared for sentence where he was sentenced to life in jail with a minimum term of 20 years.

Prosecutor Stuart Trimmer QC said: ‘The victim, who was nicknamed Solo, worked in the same factory on an industrial estate in Luton as the defendant’s sister Shahia Zahid.

‘Shahia Zahid told a friend Solo spoke to her at the noticeboard saying how attractive she was. She said she would tell her brother who would beat the hell out of him.

‘The crown have no way of knowing in what the victim said or did. The crown do not accept anything untoward was said. There was a peaceful working relationship at factory.’

That evening Tabraz took a call and told friends someone had ‘fooled’ with one of his sisters. He went home, took the hammer and obtained Mr Mumtaz’s number. 

At 9.35pm he used a friend’s phone, called him and asked him to meet him outside.

Tabraz had arrived in the area with two car loads of people, but no others were involved, but three others stood by during the assault.

Tabraz, who was known as Tagga, was aged 20 when he launched the attack with such force that the hammer bent, because he believed Mr Mumtaz had ‘besmirched his sister’s honour’ by suggesting she was attractive 

In the attack Mr Mumtaz suffered two significant blows to the head and other injuries consistent with being kicked.

In a victim statement his family said: ‘Our loving brother, son, father and husband has been taken away from us in evil circumstances.

‘This evil person came to murder him a few yards from his family home.

‘We are broken as a family. The hardest thing to cope with was Soheil in his grave and Tabraz enjoying life. We have had to suffer this injustice for 18 years.

‘We still feel numb, paralysed by grief and pain. He left a widowed wife and two children.’

Ali Bajwa QC, defending, said: ‘I do not advance there was a sexual interest (in the sister). That is what the defendant was told, but he does not believe that to be the truth. 

‘He (the victim) was standing with his mates at work and saying things that upset her. It was not a sexual advance.’

Mr Bajwa went on: ‘He did not intend to kill. I accept to strike someone in the way he did could lead to the consequence. In his 20 year old mind it was not his intention.’

Jailing him, Judge Michael Kay QC said there had been no evidence of untoward contact by Mr Mumtaz. 

‘She (the sister) indicated to another work colleague she was going tell her brother what he had said so her brother would beat hell out of him. Her knowledge of your attitude and character was chilling accurate.

‘This senseless murder was motivated by your abhorrent and indefensible actions over words you thought had been spoken to your sister. 

‘You felt your family honour, your honour and your sister’s honour had been besmirched and you sought revenge.’

‘When you and he came face to face he was on his own and had no weapon.

‘You forcefully struck his head twice with the claw hammer. The bruising to the body was consistent with you kicking him on the ground.

‘The next day you took a flight to Lahore and since 2001 the police have been searching for you. 

‘At some point you went to the USA. You were sentence twice fore drugs offences, gaining financial advantage from the misery of drug addicts whilst being a fugitive on the run.

‘The killing of Mr Mumtaz, and the long wait for justice has imposed a very heavy burden on his wife, his children , who never came to know their father, and his wider family.’

DCI Justine Jenkins said: ‘This vicious attack was orchestrated on a husband and father in retribution for a perceived slight in remarks made, of which there is no direct evidence, to a member of Mohammed’s family. 

‘These were remarks not heard directly by Mohammed; in fact he didn’t know if they were even true.’

‘There is no honour in murder and his admission in court will hopefully provide some comfort for Mr Mumtaz’s family, who have spent almost two decades without any closure.

‘Mohammed’s cowardly flight out of the country meant he has never been held to account for his actions and only now will he finally face justice.’