Nosheen Akhtar: Husband denies setting fire that killed wife in Bury

Waqas Mahmood, the husband of Nosheen Akhtar, told Rochdale Coroners Court that his wife lit her own clothes on fire with a lighter after she became angry about his ongoing relationship with his ex-wife.

Ms Akhtar, who was also known as Sarah Hussain, died after she was seen running from her home on East Street, Bury, while she was on fire.

The 31-year-old died at Wythenshawe Hospital on July 24, 2021, after sustaining burns to 81 per cent of her body.

On the fifth day of the inquest, which began on Monday last week, Mr Mahmood told the court that Ms Akhtar objected to him continuing to contact his ex-wife, with whom he has children.

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He told the court she became “possessive” after a few months of marriage and would look through his phone to read apps and messages.

In police interview transcripts read to the court by Assistant Coroner for Manchester North, Lisa Judge, Mr Mahmood told officers that on the day of the fire he had been drinking heavily and had drunk at least half of a 70cl bottle of brandy while sitting on the living room sofa watching television.

He told officers that that Ms Akhtar had entered the room “very angry” saying she had seen text messages between Mr Mahmood and his ex-wife on his phone.

Nosheen Akhtar, also known as Sarah Hussain (Image: Family handout)

Mr Mahmood continued to say that his brother, Hasnain Mahmood, followed Ms Akhtar as she entered the kitchen to “sort her out".

Before leaving the house, Hasnain Mahmood told Wasaq Mahmood that Ms Akhtar was “on one".

Giving evidence last Thursday, Hasnain Mahmood told the court that when he went into the kitchen, he saw that Ms Akhtar had poured white spirit, a flammable liquid, onto herself, and had told him she wanted to set herself on fire.

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In an initial interview, Waqas Mahmood made no mention to police that Ms Akhtar had poured white spirit on herself, or that she had threatened to take her own life at this point.

He later mentioned that his wife “must” have at some time mentioned either her intention to set herself on fire, or to set fire to the house in the minutes leading to the incident.

Waqas Mahmood told the court that upon entering the living room once again, Ms Akhtar sat down on the sofa next to him then set herself in fire with a lighter on her left side using her right hand.

Asked by the coroner if he set the fire himself, Waqas Mahmood said: “No, I didn’t put her on fire.”

He said: “I didn’t put her on fire and neither did my family.”

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CCTV footage played to the court shows Ms Akhtar sitting on the kerb outside her home following the incident and being assisted by neighbours who cover her with water and sheets until emergency services arrive.

At the same time the footage shows Mr Mahmood exiting the East Street property through the back yard and walking onto the street.

The court heard he had previously attempted to put out the flames using a pillow.

A 999 call made to emergency services following the incident was made by a neighbour. 

Disputing earlier evidence heard at the inquest, including a statement given by his sister-in-law, Ifra Farooq, and his own account of events to a paramedic at the scene, Mr Mahmood claimed he did not in fact carry Ms Akhtar from the house onto the street, and denied discussing this with his family following the incident.

He also denied shouting at Ms Akhtar or throwing paracetamol at her prior to an overdose she took in February 2021.

Mr Mahmood told police officers that he "loved" Ms Akhtar, adding “we had our ups and downs but we were a happy couple overall.”