A man has been jailed for just seven years after admitting beating his girlfriend to death.

Abu Hussain, 37, appeared at the Old Bailey for sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter after killing 26-year-old Sannah Javed at her home in Green Lane, Ilford, in December last year.

Hussain, of Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, was on trial for her murder, which he denied.

He finally accepted responsibility for Ms Javed’s death yesterday, pleading guilty to manslaughter mid-way through a murder trial.

The court heard at the time of her death Ms Javed had been in a turbulent relationship with Hussain for a number of years. Their relationship had been peppered with domestic altercations. By December, the couple were living apart.

Around 11.15pm, police were called to the address by London Ambulance Service (LAS) following reports a woman had collapsed.

On their arrival, officers found Hussain at the address in an agitated state.

He initially told police Ms Javed had collapsed while sitting on her bed, but would later offer two alternative versions of the evening’s events.

Ms Javed was taken to King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, where she was pronounced dead at 12.32am on December 3.

A post-mortem on December 6 revealed Ms Javed had sustained a number of internal and external injuries.

Home office pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl concluded some of the injuries were in keeping with an assault.

Hussain was arrested and charged the following day.

Detective chief inspector Tim Duffield, homicide and serious crime command, said: “The police investigation exposed Abu Hussain as a violent and controlling man, a person who, after attacking his partner, was prepared to lie in an effort to escape justice.

“Abu had ample opportunity to admit his guilt earlier but chose to put Sannah’s family through the further ordeal of a criminal trial. I can only hope today’s outcome helps her family begin to come to terms with their loss.”

Did you know Ms Javed? Send your tributes to laura.burnip@archant.co.uk.