Tanveer Iqbal murder trial: Blackmail claim over 'dirty pictures'

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard evidence from Gul Nawaz over the murder of Smethwick shop owner Tanveer Iqbal, whose body was found in the boot of his car in February.

Nawaz, of Roway Lane, Oldbury, stands accused of Mr Iqbal's murder alongside his former wife Zatoon Bibi and a teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons. All three deny the charge.

Nawaz claims that on January 31 this year he woke up on the sofa at Bridgeburn Road, Bartley Green, where Bibi was residing, to make the gruesome discovery.

He said: "There was a box there, a TV box, and there was a dead body there in the box.

Asked if any words passed between them when he saw this, Nawaz added: "She said he has made my life hell. He's got dirty pictures on the phone. He's blackmailing me."

Nawaz says he didn't know who was in the box and that he initially refused to get involved, but then claims Bibi said to him: "I'm going to blame you if you don't help."

He says that eventually he, Bibi and the teenager who was also present at the property had to lift the box together to get it in the boot of the Renault Clio which belonged to Mr Iqbal. She then drove this car off.

Questioned on why he was seen earlier that same day, buying items including heavy duty rope, reinforced tape and work gloves from Poundland in Oldbury, Nawaz pointed out that he had also bought other items, but was asked to buy these extra items by Bibi.

He says he only ended up at the property in Bartley Green after she drove him there, when he thought they were going to see a bereaved family.

The defendant also confirmed to the court that he and Bibi had an arranged marriage back in 1997, and had four children together.

In 2010, Bibi told him that she was going to London with this daughter and a female friend.

Later that same year, on June 23, Nawaz said he discovered DNA papers while fixing a wardrobe at their home, alongside photos which included one in London with Bibi, her daughter and a man he said he didn't know.

Nawaz confirmed that the police were called, but denies that after making this discovery he attacked Bibi and threatened her with a knife, as she alleges.

The trial continues.