A brutally murdered Bradford dad was dealt multiple blows to his neck with a sharp weapon while face down on his living room floor, a jury was told yesterday.

Amjad Hussain was almost beheaded by a killer who struck at lunchtime at his home in Rylstone Gardens, Undercliffe, Bradford.

In the dock at Bradford Crown Court is Mohammed Naeem, 33, of Westfield Terrace, Undercliffe, who denies murdering Mr Hussain on January 12.

The jury has heard that the house was set on fire and the gas cooker lit after Mr Hussain was killed.

The slow-burning blaze in a corner of the living room did not spread and firefighters carried Mr Hussain’s body out of the smoke-filled living room.

It is alleged that Mr Hussain, 32, who was married to a primary school teacher and is the father of a nine-year-old son, was killed because he was trying to get back £1,000 he had loaned to Naeem.

It is claimed he became increasingly upset about the debt and said he was going to speak to Naeem’s wife and father-in-law about it.

Forensic scientist Gillian Leak told the court Mr Hussain was likely to have been assaulted as he sat on the settee, barefoot and in pyjama bottoms, vest and hooded top.

He had been sleeping after working a late shift as a pizza chef at the Four Seasons takeaway in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Mrs Leak said Mr Hussain suffered at least three blows to his neck region while face down.

She also told the jury she believed he was sitting on the settee when the first blow was dealt and he leant forward while bleeding.

When she was shown a heavy, sharp meat cleaver found in Otley Road, Bradford, after the murder, Mrs Leak said it was consistent with the type of weapon used to kill Mr Hussain.

“I would put this right at the top end of the most effective weapons to use in that chopping type of action,” she said.

Firefighter Andrew Radley found Mr Hussain while using his hands to search the smoke-filled living room. He and a colleague carried him into the front garden.

Paramedic Paul Lynch said there was a large open wound to Mr Hussain’s head. There was no pulse or heart beat.

The trial continues.