The family of a much-loved Manchester man, described as “quiet and kind”, are seeking answers following his tragic murder at the hands of his partner. The case has drawn attention not only for its heartbreaking nature but also for the significant legal and social questions it has raised regarding the actions of state agencies prior to his death.
Mohammed Amin Mukhtar, 53, was killed in his own flat on 30 August 2021 by Charlotte Dootson, his partner of several years. The incident has left Mr Mukhtar’s family devastated and determined to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred after repeated interactions with the authorities over allegations of domestic violence.
During criminal proceedings in May 2022, it was revealed that Dootson, then 25, had subjected Mr Mukhtar to alarming levels of abuse over a period of time. She ultimately pleaded guilty to his murder, receiving a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 and a half years. The court heard how Mr Mukhtar – whom many described as defenceless and vulnerable – had endured physical assaults, at times involving weapons, over several years.
Between May 2018 and July of the previous year, police reportedly received a total of a dozen calls linked to violence against Mr Mukhtar. Dootson had been arrested three times and, for one occasion, remanded in custody for a month. The disturbing pattern of abuse included multiple occasions in which Dootson used blades and, crucially, instances where she allegedly strangled Mr Mukhtar with electrical cables – a method that would feature fatally in the ultimate crime.
The case has now moved beyond the realm of criminal justice and into the inquest phase, where Manchester Coroner’s Court will examine whether the involvement of public agencies in the couple’s lives could or should have prevented Mr Mukhtar’s death. The inquest, discussed at a recent pre-hearing, is set to focus on the actions taken by Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council, and Greater Manchester Mental Health services, particularly from June 2019 onwards, to assess and manage the risks posed by Dootson.
Legal representatives for the family have stressed the importance of broadening the inquiry to investigate not just what happened after June 2019, but also earlier incidents. Notably, events in May 2018 and March 2019 were referenced, with allegations that Dootson assaulted Mr Mukhtar and that police witnessed her punching and kicking him, yet the tragedy was not averted.
Family solicitor Sunyana Sharma, reiterating the wishes of Mr Mukhtar’s relatives, emphasised the need for the inquest’s focus to remain squarely on Mr Mukhtar and the multi-agency knowledge of his situation, rather than solely on the actions of the perpetrator. There is a prevailing sentiment among those close to the victim that more could have been done to protect him, backed up by a history of documented abuse and numerous interventions by the authorities.
Coroner Paul Appleton indicated that while the inquest, expected to last several days, would deliver the closure the family so desperately seeks, logistical constraints mean the full hearing may not take place until the following year. He apologised for the unavoidable delay, yet underlined the importance of conducting a thorough process.
Present at the recent hearing were Mr Mukhtar’s sister and brother, both of whom have spoken publicly of their frustration at the lengthy process and the emotional strain caused by the lack of resolution. His sister, Fozia, highlighted the pain of revisiting the details nearly four years after her brother’s death, but maintained that the family would not relent in their pursuit of accountability and understanding.
A date for the final inquest has not yet been confirmed. The family, meanwhile, continues to call for transparency and answers, hoping that future findings might prompt improved intervention strategies and greater support for vulnerable individuals facing domestic abuse. This case has, once again, brought the issue of domestic violence and the responsibilities of public authorities sharply into focus in the UK.