Smethwick murder accused 'lied' about having blood cancer, trial hears

Ameen Thabet, 50, is standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court for allegedly killing Najeeba Al-Ariqy, 47 by choking her to death at her home in Aston, Birmingham, on March 23 last year.

The court was told today that the previous November Thabet, , of West Park Road, Smethwick, was worried the relationship was over.

Addressing Thabet, Ben Douglas-Jones QC, prosecuting, said: “You are prepared to lie by use of illness as a means of manipulation.

“No,” replied Thabet.

“On November 6 you said “I promise to change, I have done something for you. I have sent £100 to your bank,” said Mr Douglas-Jones.

“Worried about your relationship at that stage, what did you say?”

“I have blood cancer,” replied Thabet.

“That is the most offensive card you played,” said Mr Douglas-Jones.

“No, she knows about my condition,” said Thabet.

The case so far:

• Murder suspect denies having had toxic relationship with wife

• Murder suspect bought wife a wedding dress the day before her death, trial hears

• Smethwick murder suspect carried out CPR on wife, court hears

• Murder accused's wife died from pressure to the neck, jury is told

• Murder trial jurors shown more CCTV footage of defendant at address

• Jurors shown CCTV in murder trial

• Husband accused of wife's murder told officers he was a family friend

• Mother-of-three found dead at Birmingham home was 'unresponsive', trial hears

Thabet told the court he has Polycythemia, a condition which causes an increase in the body’s red blood cells causing the blood to be thicker leading to possible health issues such as blood clots.

“You were diagnosed with dehydration,” said Mr Douglas-Jones.

“You have pseudo-fake Polycythemia. To win her back you prepared to sink so low as to say you had blood cancer.”

“She went with me for treatment on a number of occasions,” replied Thabet.

The court heard that early on the morning of March 23, Thabet sent Ms Al-Ariqy 17 text messages - the first at 3.37am - without getting a response.

“You waited for hours for a response but got nothing,” said Mr Douglas-Jones.

“I accept I sent 17 messages but she was asleep,” replied Thabet.

The court has heard that Thabet and Ms Al-Ariqy were previously married in 2019 and the accused claims they were planning to re-marry.

Thabet was questioned about his movements later on March 23 including sending a further 12 text messages to Ms Al-Ariqy from 8.35am.

One said “I have had a very bad night sleeping”

“Yes, I am worried about my health,” said Thabet.

“So you wanted to seal the deal now,” said Mr Douglas-Jones.

“You are worried. You want her to bring everything (the wedding) forward so she can’t get out of it.”

“She could back out at any time,” said Thabet.

“She kept ignoring you didn’t she?” Asked Mr Douglas-Jones.

“No,” said Thabet.

Cardboard box

The court heard that Thabet spoke to Ms Al-Ariqy at 10am in a 47-minute call from his van at his business premises.

“It was nice,” said Thabet. “There was not a negative in the conversation.”

After another phone call Thabet went shopping and, the prosecution said, picked up a cardboard box from his factory with “Zara” written on it - something he said he does not recall, then turned off his phone.

“You told police the phone had run out of battery,” said Mr Douglas Jones. “That was a lie.”

“I did not tell them the truth,” Thabet replied.

Thabet arrived at Sutton Road, Aston, Birmingham, where Ms Al-Ariqy lived, at 11.55am and parked in Leatherhead Close then walked to the front door.

Mr Douglas-Jones said Thabet told the jury he had been in the hallway for 30 minutes but in his witness interview said he had been there for five to 15 minutes.

“In a stressed situation, in shock and you are scared you are not going to remember how long you were there exactly,” said Thabet.

“Did you take the Zara box into the house,” said Mr Douglas Jones.

“I took nothing except the shopping,” replied Thabet.

“I went in, we had a conversation in the foyer about where we are now.”

“She told you it was over permanently,” said Mr Douglas-Jones.

“I loved her,” said Thabet.

“I wanted to be with her. She was going to be my wife - it was simple.”

A post mortem revealed that Ms Al-Ariqy died from pressure being applied to her neck.

Thabet denies a charge of murder.

The trial continues.

Report by Andrew Kerr