Wandsworth man pleads guilty to killing wife

A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by means of diminished responsibility after killing his wife last November.

Naseer Khan, 67 of Lavenham Road, Wandsworth, appeared in custody at Croydon Crown Court on Monday and after recommendations of mental health professionals, his plea was accepted by the judge and was then made the subject of a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.

Khan was arrested on 12 November 2018 after the body of his wife, 62-year-old Tasneem Sheikh, was found at her home address on Balham Park Road.

A post-mortem gave the cause of death as a head injury with underlying coronary artery disease.

Detective Sergeant Brian Jones, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “The tragic death of Tasneem Sheikh has left her whole family devastated and shaken the community in which she lived and played an active part.

“Tasneem should have been safe in her own home but was subject to a brutal attack which she could not survive.

“We would like to pay tribute to Tasneem’s family for their support and dignity during such a difficult time in their lives.”

Tasneem’s sister, Amtul Mateen Barbouche, said: “My sister was like a mother to me, a loving auntie to my children and we had never thought of a family without her. She was kind and caring for everyone. She was very kind to her neighbours as well. She had no children of her own, so she loved my children like her own children.

“The barbaric murder is like a horrible nightmare for me, my children and for the whole family. I cannot get rid of the thoughts about her murder. I have flashbacks and nightmares. I cannot sleep at night.”

Her brother-in-law Abada Barbouche, said: “We will never be able to come to terms with what happened to Tasneem. The shock still reverberates throughout our family. She put her love and trust into someone, someone who would come to devastate the lives of multiple people, family members and friends alike, who remain ridden with grief.

“She was known throughout her neighbourhood and community as a kind-hearted woman who strived to help everyone around her. She had so much love to give, a woman with a compassionate soul who sought to help those around her. She was truly the most noblest of character. She deserves justice and will forever be in our hearts.

“Naseer Khan has left nothing but traumatisation, sorrow and pain in his wake.”