Husband who helped his family murder his pregnant wife believing she was possessed by an evil spirit is released from prison

A husband who helped his family murder his six-month pregnant wife because they believed she was possessed by an evil spirit has been released from prison.

Mohammed Tauseef Mumtaz was handed a life sentence in 2012 for killing 21-year-old Naila Mumtaz at the Birmingham home they shared with his parents on July 8, 2009.

Naila had come to Britain from Pakistan in 2008 following an arranged marriage and moved into the family home in Handsworth Wood.

She spoke little English, was living thousands of miles from her relatives and was expecting the couple's first child when she was killed.

Her family described her as a 'happy, confident and beautiful' young woman who had been looking forward to becoming a mother.

Mumtaz, then 25, was later convicted alongside his parents Zia Ul-Haq and Salma Aslam, and his brother-in-law Hammad Hassan, after a 12-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was told he must serve at least 13 years and was released last year after the Parole Board recommended his release.

Naila Mumtaz, 21, (pictured) was smothered to death before her lifeless body was found by paramedics in the house she shared with her husband and family in Birmingham 

Mohammed Tauseef Mumtaz (left) and his parents, Zia Ul-Haq (centre) and Salma Aslam (right), both 51, were all jailed in 2012

Paramedics found the pregnant 21-year-old's lifeless body in a bedroom in the family's house on Craythorne Avenue, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, in the early hours of 8 July 2009

Mumtaz claimed Naila had behaved as though she was possessed by a jinn – a supernatural spirit in Islamic and Middle Eastern folklore – before her death.

He said she had tried to strangle herself after becoming 'possessed' and had suffocated herself by putting her hand into her mouth.

He described her death as 'more like a suicide' and also claimed he had previously been possessed by a jinn himself.

But medical evidence showed she had died from asphyxia and could not have caused the fatal injuries herself.

Prosecutors said Naila had been deliberately smothered, with one or more members of the family suffocating her while the others helped restrain her.

Her relatives said after the murder: 'She came to Britain to be with her husband; we entrusted our most treasured, beloved only daughter to him and his family.'

They added: 'Naila was almost six months pregnant with her unborn son when she was killed in her home, destroying her hopes, dreams and opportunities for the future.'

Mr Justice Keith said her circumstances made the killing more serious.

He told the four: 'What aggravates the case is that Naila was pregnant at the time of her death, isolated from her family in a country unfamiliar to her, and spoke little if any English.'

Mumtaz, his parents and Hassan had all denied murder and manslaughter but were convicted of murder.

One explanation put forward at trial was that the family believed a harmful jinn had been sent by Naila's parents in Pakistan.

Mr Justice Keith said they may have 'smothered her in order to get rid of the djinn'.

He said that was 'a less unlikely explanation for what happened' than another theory raised in court that members of the family suspected Mumtaz was not the father of her unborn baby.

The judge said it was impossible to establish exactly what had prompted the attack.

But the verdicts meant the jury was sure one or more of the four had deliberately smothered Naila while the others took part in restraining her.

Mr Justice Keith told them: 'The four of you have been convicted of the murder of Naila Mumtaz - she was only 21 years old at the time of her death and had her life ahead of her.'

He added: 'She was her parents' only daughter and her death has left a terrible gap in their lives.'

Mohammed Tauseef Mumtaz was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 13 years

His parents, Zia Ul-Haq (left) and Salma Aslam (right) were each ordered to serve at least 15 years

Hammad Hassan was also imprisoned for at least 13 years

The judge accepted they had not intended to kill Naila but said they must have realised their actions could cause really serious harm.

Mumtaz was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 13 years.

Hassan, who was 24, received the same minimum term, while Ul-Haq and Aslam, both 51, were each ordered to serve at least 15 years.

Mumtaz has a severe physical disability and the judge urged prison authorities to house him with his father so that he could be properly supported.

After being handed his life sentence, Mumtaz had to be carried out of the dock by his father.

Detective Inspector Simon Astle, of West Midlands Police, said at the time: 'This was a tragic and deeply upsetting case, where a young woman had her life so horrifically ended by those she loved and trusted.'

As a life prisoner, he remains on licence and can be recalled to prison if he breaches its conditions.

A spokesman for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Mohammed Mumtaz following an oral hearing.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'The panel carefully examined a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as exploring the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.

'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

'Parole reviews are always undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'This was an atrocious crime and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Naila Mumtaz.'

They warned Mumtaz can be recalled if he breaches his licence conditions.