A man who spent 18 years on the run after committing what he claimed was an “honour killing” has been sentenced to life in prison.

Mohammed Tabraz fled to the US after a hammer attack on Soheil Mumtaz near his home in Luton on 4 April 2001, having lured the 24-year-old to a meeting.

The 39-year-old repeatedly struck his victim over the head and then kicked him as he laid on the ground in the street, and he died from his injuries in hospital a few days later.

Tabraz was finally extradited to Britain from the US in August after almost two decades evading justice, and pleaded guilty to murder at St Albans Crown Court on 25 October.

He said he had attacked father-of-one Mr Mumtaz for making advances towards his sister, with the pair understood to have worked together at a biscuit factory in the town where they lived.

But Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins, who led the investigation, said there was no direct evidence to support his reasoning for his actions.

Sentencing Tabraz, Judge Michael Kay QC said the case against him was “overwhelming”.

“You were aggressive and forcefully struck Mr Mumtaz’s head, yet there was no aggression from Mr Mumtaz,” he said.

“Rather than face justice, you fled the country and lived a criminal and disreputable life. No doubt you would continue to evade justice, and this senseless murder initiated by you is risible and offensive to the family (of the victim).”

The Mumtaz family said they “still struggle to accept that Soheil is gone”.

In a statement, they added: “There is no sentence that can be imposed that will ever reflect the grief and pain that has been felt by our family. Soheil will always be in our hearts, no matter how broken they are.”

Source: Read Full Article