Bradford stabbing: Murder suspect was on bail for 'threats to kill' at time

A man suspected of stabbing a mother to death in Bradford city centre was on bail at the time for allegedly threatening to kill her, it has emerged.

West Yorkshire Police have launched a manhunt for Habibur Masum - who is wanted on suspicion of murdering 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter while she pushed her baby in a pram on Saturday.

According to the PA news agency, Masum was conditionally bailed in November after being charged with assaulting and threatening to kill Ms Akter - who is from Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Both offences were alleged to have happened in Manchester.

Court documents seen by PA say the 25-year-old man had pleaded not guilty to both offences at a hearing on 27 November and was ordered by Manchester Magistrates' Court not to contact Ms Akter.

Masum's bail conditions also prevented him from contacting a second unnamed person or visiting a particular address.

West Yorkshire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog as they had previous contact with Ms Akter.

Greater Manchester Police also referred themselves to the IOPC because they had contact with both Masum and Ms Akter.

West Yorkshire Police said earlier that Ms Akter was attacked at around 3.20pm on Saturday while with her baby in the Westgate area of Bradford city centre.

Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller said in a press conference: "Despite the best efforts of members of the public, ambulance crews and hospital staff, Kulsuma sadly lost her life due to the injuries.

"Her baby is safe and well and was not harmed in this incident."

Officers searching for Masum say they have carried out "a number of raids" in Burnley, Oldham, and Chester, as part of the investigation.

West Yorkshire Police arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender as a result of the search but said the hunt continues for the suspect, who has links to Burnley and Chester.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Masum studied for a masters in marketing and digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire between 2021 and 2023.

His Facebook page states he is from Sylhet, Bangladesh, and he is believed to be in the UK on a student visa, and later a post-graduate visa after he obtained his degree.

Read more:
Men who murdered footballer in nightclub jailed for life
Victim identified after human remains found in park
'Evil monster' cut his wife's body into 224 pieces

According to officers, Masum was last seen wearing a duffle coat with three large horizontal lines, grey tracksuit bottoms and maroon trainers.

A witness also told West Yorkshire Police they saw him wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up.

Officers said Masum was seen on CCTV getting on a bus on Market Street in Bradford at 3.30pm on Saturday.

The last confirmed sighting of the suspect was when he exited the bus at 3.42pm on Killinghall Road and walked in the direction of Bradford Moor Park.

Assistant Chief Constable Miller added: "I believe him to still be in the country at this moment in time."

Greater Manchester Police say they are assisting West Yorkshire Police with their investigation.

"Due to his links to Greater Manchester, we have our specialist officers following several lines of enquiry to locate him," said Detective Superintendent Jude Holmes from the force's Oldham district.

"I urge members of the public to remain vigilant, and if you have any information on his whereabouts, call 999 as a matter of urgency."