Woman found dead inside Coventry house and man arrested

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A man has been arrested after a woman's body was discovered at a house in Coventry.

The woman, who has yet to be formally identified, was found at an address on Awson Street, in the Stoke area of the city, just after 12:00 BST on Monday.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out in the next few days, police said.

The 28-year-old man from Coventry was arrested on suspicion of murder by officers in London.

He is due to be questioned by West Midlands Police later.

Det Insp Warren Hines said concerns had been raised about the house after a man raised the alarm at Bishopsgate police station in central London.

He said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the death, but appealed for witnesses to come forward.

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Foleshill 'murder' victim named

A man has been charged with murder after a woman’s body was discovered at a house in Coventry.

Police were called to a house in Awson Street, Foleshill, on Monday after receiving information that a female occupant was dead.

The victim has been named as 22-year-old Salma Parveen.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on Monday and has now been charged with her murder. He will appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Local officers are continuing to patrol the area and residents with any concerns should speak to them or contact the neighbourhood policing team on 101.

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March trial for man accused of killing Salma Parveen at their Foleshill home

A man accused of killing his partner at their Coventry home has been remanded in custody until his trial – which will not take place until March next year.

Mohammed Iqbal, aged 28, of Awson Street, Foleshill, Coventry, pleaded not guilty at the crown court in Leamington to the murder of 22-year-old Salma Parveen.

Her body had been found at the address after the police forced their way in on Monday April 29.

After Iqbal had entered his plea, Judge Richard Griffith-Jones asked why no statement had been served setting out his defence to the charge.

And Joseph Giret QC, defending, explained: “I am not yet satisfied I have understood the issues we are going to present to the jury.”

The judge observed: “You have indicated loss of self-control or self defence.”

Mr Giret, who said he needed to discuss the case further with Iqbal, expanded: “Self-defence initially, giving rise to circumstances which led to a loss of self-control.”

And he confirmed a trial estimate of ‘two-plus weeks.’

So Judge Griffith-Jones adjourned the case for the trial to begin on March 4 next year, with a further directions hearing at the end of October once the defence statement has been served.

He remanded Iqbal in custody and extended the custody time limit, the time a defendant can be held on remand before standing trial, until March 5.

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Mohammed Iqbal strangled wife Salma Parveen with scarf

A man who strangled his wife with a scarf has been jailed for a minimum of 15 years.

Mohammed Iqbal's relationship with Salma Parveen, 22, had broken down and she wanted him to leave their home in Stoke in Coventry, police said.

But he killed her "in a fit of temper" in May last year and told her family she had gone to work while she lay dead in their home.

At Stafford Crown Court the 29-year-old was convicted of her murder.

Police said Iqbal went to London after killing her but had little money and later handed himself in.

Ms Parveen's family paid tribute to their "beautiful" daughter describing her as the "spark" of the family.

"Her life has not only been taken away from her, our lifestyle, spark and bonding of the family has also gone with her.

"Salma was the person we could trust with our eyes closed, the person who was always there for us, the person who we all looked up to."

Sgt Mick Griffiths, from West Midlands Police, said that throughout his trial, Iqbal claimed he did not intend to kill her but suffered a loss of control due to provocation.

"He has changed his defence and alleged in court that Salma attacked him with a knife. This was pure fabrication and the jury saw through these lies," he said.

"Their relationship had broken down and Salma wanted him to leave the family home. Iqbal chose his moment carefully and then struck. Salma had no chance to defend herself and he killed her in a fit of temper."

It could hardly be a "fit of anger" if he "chose his moment carefully"?