Syeda Nirupama Hossain’s body was found by a concerned friend at about 4am on Sunday
An accused murderer made full admissions to killing his wife in their Sydney home but will argue he acted in self-defence, a court has been told.
Altaf Hossain, 49, is accused of murdering his 33-year-old wife Syeda Nirupama in their Minto home between 3.09am and 4am on Sunday.
The accused killer showed his heavily bandaged hands to Parramatta Bail Court on Monday as his barrister argued the 49-year-old would defend the murder charge against him and deserved both bail and the presumption of innocence.
Police opposed bail, arguing the Bengali-speaking Australian citizen posed a ‘huge flight risk’ if released and had already made admissions.
‘In presence of police and people (at his) house at his invitation, (he said) I killed her,’ Senior Sergeant Leesa McEvoy told the court.
‘That presumption of innocence is … out the window,’ Senior Sergeant Leesa McEvoy told the court.
The court was not told how police allege Ms Nirupama died.
Syeda was found dead only metres from her sleeping children, aged six and 10, in the garage of her home.
Altaf Hossain, 49, was taken into police custody at the scene.
Her husband, Altaf Hossain, has confessed of killing her (pictured together)
Hossain’s barrister Zemarai Khatiz said his client had no recorded matters of violence and had strong community ties though his Australian citizenship and family.
He stressed self-defence would be an issue at trial for the ‘powerful, subjective’ case.
‘One of first things he said to police was ‘She did this one’, gesturing with his hands,’ Mr Khatiz told the court.
The accused had stated to police he was suffering from mental health issues, the court heard.
The couple met overseas after Mr Hossain returned home from living in Australia to search for a wife (Police at the scene pictured)
Registrar Kevin Lamond said if the murder charge was defended on self-defence, there was a strong likelihood Hossain would be convicted of manslaughter and would face a custodial sentence.
The accused killer was remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled court appearance on April 30 at Campbelltown Local Court.
A family friend outside court cried as he told reporters the death was a shock.
‘They are good couple, good family.’
Hossain, who appeared before the court in a white gown with heavily bandaged hands, was refused bail.
His case will be mentioned on April 30 at Campbelltown Local Court
Mrs Hossain’s distraught family were tasked with relaying the message of her death to her parents, who still live in Bangladesh.
The couple met overseas after Mr Hossain returned home from living in Australia to search for a wife.
They were married, and she followed her husband back to Australia, where they have lived for more than a decade.
Neighbours said Mrs Hossain was a devout Muslim who prayed regularly.
The couple made a living selling homemade Bangladeshi sweets to shops after Mr Hossain was injured on the job and couldn’t work.