A MAN who stabbed his pregnant girlfriend to death has been sentenced to life in prison.
Akeel Hussain, 30 and of Pembroke Croft, Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court on Monday (September 29) to the murder of 21-year-old Kirsty Wright.
He must serve a minimum of 19 years in jail before being considered for release.
The court heard how Ms Wright was 13 weeks pregnant with Hussain’s child when he stabbed her to death about 60 times in an attack at the home she shared with relatives on the Evesham Road on March 15, last year. She died of her injuries at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital the next day.
Hussain originally claimed he was not responsible because of diminished responsibility caused by drug taking which led to feelings of paranoia and psychosis, but changed his plea as the prosecution case came to an end.
Det Insp Leighton Harding, of North Worcestershire CID who led the investigation, said: “I hope the guilty plea and sentencing will bring some comfort to Kirsty’s family and friends. The conclusion of the court case will hopefully now bring them some kind of closure and the opportunity to move forward. I would like to pay tribute to Kirsty’s family for the dignified manner they have maintained throughout the
investigation.”
In a statement Ms Wright’s family described her as ‘ a beautiful, vivacious and popular person who was extremely caring’.
“We are truly devastated by the loss of Kirsty and her death is something that we will never come to terms with, it has ripped our family apart.
“Kirsty was so excited about becoming a mother for the second time and she was a wonderful and devoted mother to her two-year-old son; they adored each other and were inseparable. We will do our best to ensure he can go on to live a happy, normal childhood and when he is old enough to understand the tragic way his mother died, we will support him.
“The family has requested that the media please continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
