A son who was recorded savagely beating his father to death was today (Thursday, December 7) found guilty of murder.
Husnein Amjad, 28, must spend a minimum of 17 years in jail for the attack on Amjad Hussain at the family home in Fuller Road, Watford, on October 28, 2021.
The harrowing hour-long assault involving a belt, kicks and punches was recorded on a mobile phone. Husnein’s mother Shabham Bi had left it on record because there were rumours that her husband had married a woman while he was away for 14 months in Pakistan.
Prosecutor Wayne Cleaver told St Albans Crown Court: “It captured events during which time sounds can clearly be heard consistent with his father being hit and kicked, groaning as if semi-conscious and in pain.”
The jury donned headphones to listen to the recording. Mr Cleaver said there had been a “repeated and persistent” attack. He said Husnein did not attempt to call for help in the hours after the attack.
Husnein denied murdering his father but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was found guilty of murder
The victim had been in Pakistan since August 2020, his return having been delayed by family issues and COVID-19. He was collected from Heathrow Airport on October 27, 2021, and the family ate together in the evening, with all seeming well.
But the next day, Husnein changed his mind about taking some of the children of the family to a trampoline park in Elstree and asked his sister Kynaat to take them with their mother instead, saying he had something he wanted to speak to his father about.
Later, Husnein phoned his sister and said: “Listen, I’ve done something stupid. Call the ambulance, I’m gonna hand myself in…”
Asked what he was talking about, he replied: “I’m sorry, it was self-defence. Think of the worst thing I could have possibly done.”
Police and paramedics arrived at the house and tried in vain to resuscitate Mr Hussain, who was pronounced dead at 7.02pm.
Shortly beforehand, Husnein handed himself in at Watford Police Station.
The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, chest and abdomen.
Defending, Christopher Henley KC said: “It was a spontaneous uncontrollable outburst. There was no intent to kill.”
He said something must have happened to cause Husnein to act in that way. He said he had no previous convictions. Husnein had told the jury he had “stress on his shoulders” and “ cracked.”
Judge John Hillen passed a life sentence, saying Husnein must serve a minimum term of 17 years before he can be considered for parole.
Sentencing him, the judge said: “Your anger was not a temporary loss of control as for over an hour you beat your father to death. It has changed your life and your family’s life forever.
“On evidence I and the jury heard, your father was a selfish man who behaved despicably to his wife, the mother you loved, and to his family. He was lazy, demanding, bullying, and ruined the family finances. He was a gambler. He was more concerned about sending money to his large family in Pakistan. He was a philanderer who was repeatedly unfaithful to his wife.
“He had, however, for all his many faults, the love of others and the respect of his community. Even the most objectionable person does not warrant being subject to treatment you meted out, which almost amounted to torture.”
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