A ‘kind and sweet’ mother was killed in the doorway of her home by a man with an axe following a family dispute.

On Wednesday, Mohammed Yaqub Malik was cleared of murdering Nelson woman Ishrat Ahmed, but found guilty by a jury of her manslaughter.

During a trial which lasted several weeks, Preston Crown Court heard how Malik had attacked Ishrat and her husband Afaq Ahmed in the doorway of their home in July of last year.

Ishrat, 52, suffered serious head injuries and died later in hospital.

Afaq was also taken to hospital suffering serious brain injuries but has since recovered.

Prosecutors told the jury how Malik had driven to the couple’s home on Roberts Street in Nelson looking for their son Wasim, who had been married to one of his daughters.

The couple had split acrimoniously and there were ongoing disputes between the pair, of which Malik was aware.

Following the attack Malik drove back to his home where he was arrested a short time later. The weapon was found by police hidden in the back garden.

Malik, 58, of Heights Road, Nelson, was cleared of murder and attempted murder following a trial at Preston Crown Court. He will be sentenced for manslaughter and wounding on February 11.

Following her death, Ishrat’s family paid loving tribute to her. In a statement they said: “Our beloved mother was blessed with the kindest heart and the sweetest touch and was loved by every single one of us."

Detective Chief Inspector Allen Davies, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “My thoughts are first and foremost with the loved ones of Ishrat Ahmed who was killed in the most brutal fashion.

“Mohammed Malik launched an attack of unsparing violence on the Ahmed’s using a weapon he had chosen and taken to their home address.

“I would like to thank the prosecution team for their presentation of this case and accept the jury’s decision today.”