A 31-year-old Ugandan man, Filmon Andmichaen, has been sentenced to at least 27 years in prison for the murder of his pregnant mistress, Liwam Bereket, and their unborn child. The tragic incident occurred on August 1 last year in a wooded area off Freeth Street, Ladywood, Birmingham.
Andmichaen was convicted of murder and child destruction after jurors deliberated for nearly three and a half hours during his second trial, which followed the collapse of the first due to legal issues surrounding the second charge.
The court heard that Andmichaen, upset that Ms. Bereket refused to terminate the pregnancy, stabbed her in the neck and left her to die face down in the grass for over an hour before calling emergency services. Judge Justice Choudhury described the act as “callous and cowardly,” stating that Andmichaen intended to kill both Ms. Bereket and her unborn daughter.
During the trial, it was revealed that Andmichaen delayed calling 999 and instead walked toward a canal, possibly to dispose of evidence, as the knife used was never recovered. CCTV footage showed him returning to the scene with his brother, who later urged him to contact authorities.
Andmichaen initially denied being the child’s father and demanded a DNA test, further insisting on an ab0rtion due to already having a wife and children. His wife, who moved to the UK after their 2022 marriage, was unaware of the affair.
Ms. Bereket was found severely injured, and despite an emergency Caesarean section, her baby was stillborn. Her family, devastated by the loss, described her as a loving, joyful, and compassionate soul whose absence has left an unimaginable void.
Judge Choudhury emphasized Andmichaen’s lack of remorse, stating, “Your actions destroyed the lives of a woman and her unborn child, along with the lives of her family.” The judge imposed a life sentence, requiring Andmichaen to serve at least 27 years, minus the 482 days he spent in custody.
In a heartfelt statement, Ms. Bereket’s family urged people to remember her not just as a victim but as a beacon of love and joy who brought light to everyone around her.