Man Jailed For Life After Murder of Pregnant Woman in Birmingham

Hi and welcome to this JK NEWS B'HAM Crime Report for VPN: REGIONAL NETWORKS:

A man who murdered his pregnant partner in Birmingham has been sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison.

Filmon Andmichaen, 31, was convicted today at Birmingham Crown Court for the murder of 26-year-old Liwam Bereket and the death of her unborn child.

On 1 August 2023, Andmichaen took Ms. Bereket to a secluded area in Ladywood, where he stabbed her and left her to die. She was six months pregnant and eagerly anticipating the birth of her baby girl.

The court heard that Andmichaen, upon learning of the pregnancy, pressured Ms. Bereket to have an abortion. When she refused, he carried out the fatal attack.

After the incident, Andmichaen returned home and confessed to his brother that he had “assaulted a lady.” Nearly two hours later, he called the police, claiming Ms. Bereket’s death was accidental.

Emergency services found Ms. Bereket with fatal injuries, and both she and her unborn child were pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation revealed a history of abuse. Witnesses reported seeing Andmichaen assault Ms. Bereket in public, and her friends described his behavior as controlling and aggressive.

CCTV footage captured the couple arriving at Freeth Street before disappearing into nearby woodland. Fifteen minutes later, Andmichaen was seen leaving alone. He took Ms. Bereket’s phone, later found in his car, ensuring she could not call for help.

During the trial, Andmichaen maintained that the deaths were accidental, but the jury rejected his claims.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Colclough, leading the investigation, described the murder as “callous,” stating:

“It’s heartbreaking that a young woman looking forward to becoming a mother was killed in such a brutal way. Andmichaen showed no remorse and caused further pain by forcing Liwam’s family to endure a trial. We hope today’s outcome brings them some measure of peace.”

He added, “Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We remain committed to ensuring everyone feels safe in the West Midlands.”

Andmichaen’s life sentence includes a minimum term of 27 years before he is eligible for parole.

ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing

As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:

Murder in the UK carries a mandatory life sentence under common law, with judges required to set a minimum term that must be served before an offender is eligible for parole. In this case, Filmon Andmichaen received a minimum term of 27 years, reflecting the severity of the crime.

The use of a knife is considered an aggravating factor under sentencing guidelines, particularly when the victim is vulnerable, such as a pregnant woman. The loss of two lives in this context—both the mother and her unborn child—can lead to a harsher sentence, demonstrating the courts’ recognition of the crime’s wider impact.

Parole eligibility does not guarantee release. The Parole Board must be convinced that the offender no longer poses a threat to the public. If released, the offender remains on licence for life, meaning they can be recalled to prison if they breach any conditions of their release.

This case underscores the judicial system’s firm stance on violent crimes involving weapons, ensuring that those who commit premeditated acts of violence face the full force of the law.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Jason King

Birmingham City-Desk

Twitter (X) @JasonKingNews

Jasonkingnews@gmail.com