Birmingham Man Brutally Attacked by Family in Property Dispute
A Birmingham man was viciously assaulted in his own home by his relatives amid what has been described as a 'bitter family war over property and money'. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, feared for his life during the violent incident, even comparing part of the attack to the infamous murder of George Floyd.
The Violent Confrontation
The attack occurred at the victim's home in Small Heath, where he lives with and cares for his elderly mother. According to court testimony, Mohammed Karim, 51, burst into his brother-in-law's residence like a 'raging bull' and immediately began kicking and punching him. The confrontation escalated when Karim's son, Mohammed Roshan Arif, 22, joined the assault, placing his uncle in a chokehold and strangling him.
The victim recounted the terrifying moments, stating he was forced to the floor where he was repeatedly punched and kicked. He described curling into a ball while shouting and screaming, all while worrying about his mother's safety. The situation worsened when other family members arrived, leading to the victim being restrained on the floor in what he described as a paralyzing position.
George Floyd Comparison
During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the victim made a chilling comparison between his experience and the death of George Floyd, who was murdered by a police officer kneeling on his neck in Minneapolis in May 2020. The victim specifically recalled feeling breathless during the chokehold, stating: "It was like the incident that happened to George Floyd. That's what it felt like I was going through."
At one point during the attack, the victim looked up at his mother and said: "Mom, I'm dead, mom I'm dying, I'm dying." He later testified that he believed he had lost consciousness for several minutes before waking up in a pool of his own blood.
Background of the Family Dispute
The violence stemmed from an ongoing family dispute concerning property and financial matters. The victim had an agreement with his sister, Sourton Nessa, 49, that her children were not to stay at the address due to these tensions. However, upon returning from a trip to Dubai on August 25, 2023, he discovered that a few hundred dollars were missing from beneath his pillow and that his nephew Arif had stayed over.
After texting his brother-in-law Karim about the situation, Karim arrived at the home within 30 minutes. The victim stated that Karim 'erupted' upon arrival, shouting 'you are calling my son a thief' before launching the violent attack.
Court Proceedings and Verdicts
Following a trial, Mohammed Karim and Mohammed Roshan Arif, both of Lyndon Road, Solihull, were found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Arif was additionally convicted of strangulation. Both defendants denied the charges, with Karim claiming self-defense and Arif insisting he acted as a 'peacekeeper.'
The victim's sister Sourton Nessa and her elder son Mohammed Rashid, 27, were also present during the incident but were cleared of assault charges. Nessa was alleged to have encouraged the attack and shouted at her mother 'your son's going to die, bring the coffin,' but she denied involvement and maintained she acted as a peacekeeper.
Rashid was accused of making an incision to the victim's chest with a knife, which he denied, and he was also found not guilty of assault. External CCTV captured events outside the home, while the victim had made an audio recording of the incident inside.
Aftermath and Sentencing
The victim's home was deliberately damaged during the violent confrontation before armed police officers arrived at the scene. Sentencing for Karim and Arif has been adjourned until April 24, 2026, as the court considers the severity of their crimes.
This disturbing case highlights how family disputes over property and money can escalate into extreme violence, leaving lasting physical and emotional scars on all involved.
