LONDON MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR 2007 FAMILY MURDERS
Mohammed Abdul Shakur, aged 46, was convicted of the murder of his wife, Juli Begum, who was 26, and their two young children in their east London home on New Year's Day 2007.The court learned that he had a history of rape and violent behavior directed at his wife.
After the murders, Shakur escaped the UK and traveled to Bangladesh, where he admitted his crimes to his sister-in-law but warned her that any police involvement would lead to her and her children being murdered.
Later, he illegally moved to India and remained in hiding for several years until authorities traced his location and extradited him to the UK in April.
The Old Bailey sentenced him to life imprisonment with a natural minimum of 40 years, despite his denial of charges.
The judge described the attack as 'wicked, vicious and sustained,' emphasizing the brutality of the acts.
The murders were notably gruesome; Juli Begum was likely smothered with a pillow, while her children, Anika and Thanha, were strangled and severely assaulted.
At the sentencing, Shakur displayed little emotion.
The court’s judgment pointed to his absence of remorse, and the sentence reflected the brutality and cruelty of his conduct.
