Smethwick murder accused's wife died from pressure to the neck, jury is told
A mother-of-three found unresponsive at her home died as a result of pressure being applied to the neck, a jury has heard.
Ameen Thabet, 50, from Smethwick, allegedly killed his wife Najeeba Al-Ariqy, aged 46, on March 23 last year after visiting her earlier that day.
She was found with a scarf round her neck at the property in Birmingham.
Giving evidence for the prosecution in the witness box, Home Office pathologist Dr Alexander Kolar said there was a "tied mark" on Mrs Al-Ariqy's neck which pointed to the cause of death.
Coverage of the case:
Dr Kolar said:"The pathology evidence indicates that the lady in this case died as as a result of pressure to the neck."
He also told the jury that Mrs Al-Ariqy's face showed clear signs of asphyxia caused by blood pooling. He said this was evident above the line.
"I could see extensive dots of bruises across the entirety of the face. When I see this combination of findings I am seeing evidence of so-called asphyxial signs. Asphyxia is not to do with lack of oxygen as is commonly thought.
"It is to do with blood flow."
The prosecution's case is that Mrs Al-Ariqy was choked to death by husband Thabet and that the defendant then staged a fake burglary at her home, in Sutton Road, Aston, afterwards to cover up his actions.
Thabet, of West Park Road, in Smethwick, denies murder. The couple got married in 2019.
The trial at Birmingham Crown Court continues.
