A man has been jailed for 20 years for murdering his pregnant wife after pushing her from Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.
Kashif Anwar, 29, was convicted of killing Fawziyah Javed, a 31-year-old employment lawyer, and her unborn child after a trial in the Scottish capital.
Edinburgh's High Court heard there had been a history of abuse experienced by Ms Javed at the hands of Anwar in the lead up to her death in September 2021.
The couple, from Pudsey, West Yorkshire, had been visiting the city when Ms Javed was pushed 50ft from the Holyrood landmark.
Alex Prentice KC told the court Ms Javed, who was 17 weeks pregnant at the time, suffered fatal blunt force injuries and had used her dying words to bravely tell witnesses she had been pushed.
Anwar denied responsibility but was found guilty on Thursday afternoon of murder, before being sentenced straight away.
Daniyah Rafique, 24, managed to reach Ms Javed as she lay dying on the side of the landmark, where she was told: "Don't let my husband near me, he pushed me."
The court heard Pc Rhiannon Clutton, 35, was told by Ms Javed her husband pushed her because she "told him I wanted to end (the marriage)".
Anwar had told a firefighter at the scene that he'd been standing up to take a selfie on the evening of September 2 when he slipped and bumped into her, knocking her over.
Earlier during the week-long trial, the court heard Ms Javed had been experiencing a pattern of abuse from Anwar.
Officers from West Yorkshire Police had previously attended her parents' home after Ms Javed informed them of the abuse, the jury heard.
A statement she made to the force had said, "I may be his wife, but I'm not his possession".
Another police officer also told the court how Anwar had showed little reaction as he was told the news that his wife and unborn child had died from the fall.
Anwar had told Pc Sean Henderson: "I know how this looks. We had our problems as a couple, but..."
But Anwar never finished his sentence as more officers entered the room at the station to arrest him for murder.
He was also charged with acting in an abusive and threatening manner towards Ms Javed at an Edinburgh hotel the day before the murder.
He'd asked police at St Leonard's police station, "how long do you think I'll get" before commenting 20 years was "a long time".
Anwar will now spend exactly that behind bars as he was jailed for life on Thursday.
A member of Ms Javed's family yelled, "die you b******" as Anwar was handcuffed and led away from the dock.
Judge Lord Beckett him: "She was your pregnant wife and you also caused the death of your unborn child."
He told the killer that Fawziyah had trusted that she would be safe when they went up the 823ft hill, but that he pushed her off when nobody else was around.
Ms Javed's mother, Yasmin Javed, had described her as a "beautiful soul inside and out" who was a popular woman.
Following his conviction, Detective Inspector Bob Williamson of Police Scotland, said: "This has been an incredibly difficult and traumatic time for Fawziyah’s family who are understandably devastated by her death.
"Fawziyah was much loved and had her life ahead of her with a new baby on the way.
"This was all cruelly taken from her and her unborn child at the hands of her own husband - someone who should have loved and protected her.
"Anwar’s actions were incomprehensible and as an investigation team, we welcome today’s verdict."
"I sincerely hope that the fact that he has now been found guilty will afford Fawziyah’s family and friends some sense of justice."
Every week in the UK, two women are murdered by a partner or ex-partner - for confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.
