Bradford woman Somaiya Begum’s university pays tribute to her

Fitzwilliam Street where Begum’s body was found by the police

20-year-old Somaiya Begum’s university has paid tribute to her after news of her tragic death came to light.

The young woman, who went missing on 26 June, was subject to a massive search operation by the police for more than a week before her body was found at Fitzwilliam Street, in the heavily-industrialised Broomfields area on 6 July. 

Begum, a Biomedical Science student at Leeds Beckett University, was last seen at her home on Binnie Street, Barkerend before she disappeared.

Lecturers at her university said that she was a dedicated student, with Dr Jim Boyne, Head of Biomedical Sciences at Leeds Beckett saying that she had a bright future ahead of her.

He said, “Leeds Beckett University is deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our hearts go out to all those who knew and loved Somaiya at this terribly distressing time.

Somaiya had settled into life at Leeds Beckett University well and had a bright future ahead of her.

She was thriving on her degree in biomedical science, displaying an excellent academic skill set.

Somaiya passed the first year of her studies with very high marks and had chosen the modules she wished to study in year two of her degree.

Somaiya was a dedicated student who was well-liked by her peers and tutors and will be missed.”

Begum’s uncle, 52-year-old Mohammed Taroos Khan, appeared at the Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday last week and was charged with murder.

Khan will be put on trial for the murder after the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, fixed a plea and trial preparation hearing for September 19. Judge Mansell placed him back in custody and revealed that the Crown will be able to tell if more people are to be involved in the trial by September.