A Pakistani illegal immigrant, asphyxiated his sister-in-law with a plastic bag before setting fire to her East London family home, to guarantee her silence.
Abdul Jabbar, 54, (pictured) of Palmerston Road, Walthamstow became obsessed by 27 year-old Fiza Asif’s knowledge of his status and murdered her when the rest of her family were out.
He was convicted by an Old Bailey jury and sentenced to life imprisonment – with a twenty-three year minimum.
The fire brigade were called to a blaze at the address on January 4, last year and the mother-of-five’s body was found.
Jabbar’s motive was a feeling of control and power Fiza had over him and knowing he could face deportation if she ever reported him.
He ensured her young children – his nieces and nephews - were not at the family home when he murdered Fiza.
Her husband, Muhammed Arshad, 42, was visiting Pakistan, but was also charged with murder and appeared in the dock alongside his brother, but was cleared.
A third man, Ibrahim Farooq, 20, was cleared of perverting the course of justice.
CCTV evidence showed Jabbar purchasing 5 litres of petrol that morning and evidence confirmed that petrol was poured over the victim’s body and in the bedroom where she was discovered.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Steve Meechan, who led the investigation, said: “This was a calculated and premeditated act by an individual who was trusted by the victim and her family.
“He lived within the family home and had day to day dealings with their family lives.
“The actions taken by Jabbar were as a result of a desire to be rid of a young intelligent woman who threatened his illegal existence in this country and who held more power than he was able to deal with.
“Jabbar adopted the pose of a grieving relative throughout the investigation but was unable to hide the lies provided to police as the evidence against him was uncovered.
“His actions now leave five young children motherless and a family torn apart as a result.”
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