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Brierley Hill stabbing victim Mansoor Mahmood 'told to carry screwdriver for protection by wife'

The wife of a murder victim warned her husband to arm himself with a screwdriver just hours before he died, jurors heard.

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Mansoor Mahmood died in 2016

Aisha Akhtar said she told Mansoor Mahmood to take a black and yellow-handled screwdriver with him as he left their Brierley Hill house to get food.

Taking the stand at Birmingham Crown Court, she recalled becoming worried after her late husband told her about a 'bad dream' he had.

She said: "I told him to do it. I told him to take it because I was worried for his safety."

Parker-Lee, of Blewitt Street, Pensnett, denies murdering Mr Mahmood but claims he stabbed the father-of-two in self-defence in the town’s High Street on October 15, 2016.

Prosecutors allege Parker-Lee, 20, fatally stabbed his 24-year-old victim with a 'rambo-type' knife after they battled in an alleyway over a drugs dispute.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Ms Akhtar recalled her late husband went out to get fried chicken and buy milk at about 4pm.

He 'seemed quiet' before he left their Bague Walk home so she called him soon after, with Mr Mansoor telling her he was in High Street.

Niron Parker-Lee denies murder

She told the jury of eight men and four women: "I just wanted to make sure he was ok because of the dream he told me about.

"When he left the house, I just still had a bad feeling inside me."

The court heard that the phone call was the final time Ms Akhtar spoke to her husband as he never answered any of her further calls.

The mother, who met Mr Mansoor in 2012, eventually managed to speak with someone who told her she should get to the hospital.

When quizzed by defence barrister Mr Courtenay Griffiths QC, Ms Akhtar said she did not know if her late husband - who was her full-time carer - dealt drugs.

She confirmed she was unaware Mr Mansoor was arrested for possession with intent to supply cannabis, as well as having heroin, in 2012.

Mr Mansoor was a 'regular' cannabis user and knew Parker-Lee, she added.

During the trial, prosecutor Mr Christopher Millington QC alleged Mr Mahmood was left with a 7.9cm wound after Parker-Lee drove a knife through vital organs, veins and arteries - causing the blade to leave the other side of his body.

The trial continues.

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