The prime suspect in the fatal stabbing of a young mother in Bradford was on bail, accused of previously assaulting and threatening to kill her, it has emerged.
Court documents reveal that Habibur Masum, 25, had appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court on November 27 last year.
He pleaded not guilty to assaulting 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter and making threats against her.
She stabbed multiple times in the Westgate area of Bradford city centre on Saturday afternoon.
Habibur Masum had appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court on November 27
Despite the efforts of medics, she died in hospital later. Her child was unharmed.
After his previous court appearance, Masum was conditionally bailed by a magistrate, despite prosecutors objecting to his release.
Masum pleaded not guilty to both assaulting and threatening to kill Ms Akter.
His bail conditions prevented him from contacting his alleged victim and a second person, or visiting a particular address.
Court documents show that Masum, whose address was listed as Oldham, Greater Manchester, was charged with threatening to kill Ms Akter on November 24 and assaulting her on November 23. Both offences were alleged to have happened in Manchester.
Both West Yorkshire Police and Greater Manchester Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog over previous contact with Masum and Ms Akter.
Police had previously confirmed the couple were known to each other.
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He pleaded not guilty to assaulting 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter and making threats against her
Masum was last seen on Saturday, getting off a bus before walking in the direction of Bradford Moor Park in the city.
West Yorkshire Police said a 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender after raids were carried out in Burnley, Oldham and Chester.
Renewing his appeal to the public for information for information on the suspect, Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller said: “I believe him to still be in the country at this moment in time.”
Police said anyone who sees Masum should call 999 "as a matter of urgency”.
Officers were called to the scene in the West Yorkshire city at 3.21pm on Saturday.
The woman was with a friend outside a convenience store when she was attacked, a shopkeeper who tried to help said.
Masum was last seen on Saturday, getting off a bus before walking in the direction of Bradford Moor Park in the city
Masum, who reportedly fled the scene, was last seen on Saturday at 3.30pm, when he was captured on CCTV getting on a bus at Market Street, before getting off at 3.42pm on Killinghall Road walking towards Bradford Moor Park.
On Monday, GB News revealed that Masum, a Bangladeshi national, was in the UK on a student visa.
He arrived in the UK two years ago and had studied for a Master's degree in digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire.
It is understood that Masum was not an over-stayer, but the Home Office has refused to comment on his immigration status.
A spokesperson said: “Saturday’s attack on a young woman was appalling, and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.
“We urge the public to support West Yorkshire police’s appeal and to come forward if they have any information. While a live investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
