Man jailed for murdering brother-in-law

Zaheer Abbas was convicted after an eight-week trial at St Albans Crown Court

A man has been jailed for life for murdering his brother-in-law.

Amjad Hussain, 52, was found seriously injured inside an upstairs bedroom by family members at his home in Watford in October 2021 and died at the scene.

Police said Zaheer Abbas, 45, of Weldale Street, Reading, groomed and manipulated his cousin into murdering Hussain.

At St Albans Crown Court on Friday, Abbas was told he would serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Det Ch Insp Sam Khanna, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, commended the family members and witnesses who gave evidence against Abbas.

"[They] bravely came forward to give their evidence despite being extremely fearful of the defendant," he said.

"Their evidence was crucial."

Amjad Hussain was killed after an hour-long assault in Fuller Road, Watford

In December 2023, Husnein Amjad, of Fuller Road, Watford, was given a life sentence with a minimum 17 years in prison for murdering his father at their home.

He assaulted him for about an hour with a belt, kicking and punching him.

Abbas was later charged with murder in June 2024.

He pleaded not guilty but was convicted unanimously by a jury in February following a trial lasting just under eight weeks.

In a statement following the sentencing, Hussain's family said: "Our father cared for many and was loved by many; his tragic death hurts still like it happened yesterday."

Husnein Amjad was jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years in prison before he could be considered for parole