Courts / Louth / Report

Court quashes conviction of man for murdering man he suspected was having an affair with his wife

Date
2014-07-28
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Drogheda
County
Louth

Summary

In a 2014 decision, the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed the life‑sentence of a 33‑year‑old man who had murdered a man he believed was having an affair with his wife. The appeal court found that the trial judge had incorrectly explained the law on provocation to the jury, creating a "very real risk of injustice." The judge had been asked to recharge the jury on the provocation question, but the court was not satisfied that this was adequately remedied. Consequently, the conviction was overturned and a retrial was ordered. The man, who had previously been sentenced to seven years for serious injury to his wife and two years for assault, was remanded in custody pending the next Central Criminal Court hearing. The case involved the murder of a 32‑year‑old man, Muhammad Arif, on 7 January 2011, and the alleged stabbing of Rashida Bibi Haider, who survived after surgery. The unnamed 33-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court quashes conviction of man for murdering man he suspected was having an affair with his wife. Charges or matters: murdering his wife's cousin and his own distant relative, Muhammad Arif (32), on January 7, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 33-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: murdering his wife's cousin and his own distant relative, Muhammad Arif (32), on January 7, 2011 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: (Pictured: Mr Justice Frank Clarke, who delivered the judgement of the Court of Criminal Appeal today) The Court of Criminal Appeal has quashed the conviction and ordered the retrial of a 33-year-old man who was jailed for life for murdering the man he suspected of having an affair with his wife. In July 2012 Mr Hussain, with a last address of Woodland Avenue, Mosney, Co Meath, was also sentenced to seven years for seriously injuring his wife and two years for assaulting her.

Places mentioned

Residence
  • Woodland Avenue
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Dyer Street
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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