A man who strangled his wife with a scarf over the breakdown of their relationship has been jailed for life.

Mohammed Iqbal was told he would serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars after being convicted of murder at Stafford Crown Court today, West Midlands Police said.

According to police, 22-year-old Salma Parveen was unhappy with the couple's relationship and had tried to end it shortly before Iqbal used a scarf to throttle her at their home in Coventry last year.

Iqbal, who had denied murder, hid her body before fleeing on a train to London.

But soon after arriving, the 29-year-old, of Awson Street, Coventry, handed himself in at Bishopsgate police station, telling officers: "I've committed a murder."

Detectives said the couple had married in an Islamic ceremony in 2012 but they had planned to officially wed in a civil ceremony in 2014, because Iqbal's existing visa conditions prevented him from seeking work.

A police spokesman said: "Iqbal refused to believe the marriage was over and, on the morning of April 29 2013, while Salma was getting ready for work, he took her by surprise and wrapped a scarf around her neck and killed her."

In a statement released after the hearing, Ms Parveen's family paid tribute to their "beautiful" daughter.

Sergeant Mick Griffiths, of West Midlands Police, said: "Throughout this trial Iqbal claimed that he didn't intend to kill Salma and that he had suffered a loss of control due to provocation.

"He has changed his defence and alleged in court that Salma attacked him with a knife. This was pure fabrication and the jury saw through these lies.

"Their relationship had broken down and Salma wanted him to leave the family home. Iqbal chose his moment carefully and then struck. Salma had no chance to defend herself and he killed her in a fit of temper."

He added: "Throughout the trial he has sought to sully the good name of Salma who was a young hard-working lady.

"I hope that today's verdict brings some solace to the family."