The nephew of a woman killed in a bitter family feud has spoken of the devastation he faced when he tried to save his aunt and uncle.
Ishrat Ahmed was killed when Mohammed Yaqub Malik entered her home, in Nelson, Lancashire, on July 4 last with an axe.
He struck Ishrat to the back of the head, killing her, and also injured her husband Afaq, LancsLive reports.
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On Friday, Malik was jailed for 13 years.
He had gone round to the couple's home armed with an axe after his daughter Fatima married their son Wasim Ahmed against his wishes. Mrs Ahmed was killed by a single blow to the back of the head while her husband suffered multiple injuries after Malik attacked him as he said his prayers.
The 58-year-old was found not guilty of murder and attempted murder after the jury heard he had lost control because of the severe provocation by Wasim. He had admitted manslaughter and wounding.
Speaking after the sentencing the couple's nephew, Tariq Mushtaq, described how he was one of the first on the scene after the brutal attack.
"I live just a few doors down from my aunt and uncle and I was just about to start my prayers when I heard a knock on my door," the 45-year-old, who was born in Burnley, told LancsLive.
"This woman was stood hammering on my door shouting 'uncle, uncle, quick, quick' so I got my slippers on and ran up and as soon as I opened the front door it was just utter carnage. There was blood splattered everywhere.
"I saw my aunt first, she was sort of sat with her back to the wall, and I thought she had maybe fainted because I couldn't see any injuries so I ran to my uncle in the kitchen.
"I could see his wounds from a distance. I kneeled next to him and said 'everything is alright, I'm here' and tried to keep him calm. I didn't realise how serious my aunt's injuries were until the ambulance arrived and they couldn't wake her up."
Wasim Ahmed's relationship with Malik's daughter Fatima had been "troubled from the start", the jury had heard, and the couple separated in January 2020. Wasim continued to harass his ex-wife and her family by sending prostitutes to the house and on July 4 he threatened Fatima which led to Malik picking up an axe and driving to the Ahmeds' home to confront Wasim.
Despite the provocation Malik had faced Tariq said that his family has been "unable to fathom" why he was not convicted of murder and attempted murder.
"We have remained dignified throughout but we are really disappointed with the verdict," Tariq, who works at Rossendale Borough Council, said.
"As a family it's difficult for us to understand.
"We're really grateful to the police and I know they really wanted a murder conviction. I feel sorry for them too. They did their best and were such a massive support to us.
"Throughout this awful ordeal we have tried to maintain our dignity and prayed for justice through the legal system which unfortunately we have not been given but we remain united and stronger than ever and are determined that nothing tarnishes the precious memories and loving legacy of our beloved relative who stood for peace and compassion for everyone.
"We now have to carry on rebuilding our lives in the most difficult of circumstances but we will do so through prayer and by supporting each other and never forgetting the principles of loving family that Mrs Ahmed our beloved one always stood for."
