Our lawyers help trap men who murdered 'honour' crime victim
Actions by CPS London lawyers enabled police to solve a shocking honour crime case, resulting in three men facing sentences for murder.
Paul Goddard, from the Central Criminal Court Prosecution Service, advised officers to charge the man they suspected of killing Banaz Mahmod, left, with murder even though her body had not been found.
And his Prosecution Team Leader Damaris Lakin authorised the Metropolitan Police to use surveillance techniques to monitor the suspect in prison.
This was the first time the force has been able to use evidence gained in this way and be allowed to present it in court.
Their decisions helped police trap Mohamad Hama, 30, who admitted murdering Banaz because her relationship with an Iranian man had brought shame on her Kurdish family.
Detectives then held Banaz's father Mahmod Mahmod, 52, and uncle Ari Mahmod, 50, who went on trial at the Old Bailey for ordering her murder. They were convicted in June.
Banaz, 20, fell for Rahmat Suleimani after escaping from an abusive arranged marriage. When her father found out he tried to kill her, she claimed.
After Mr Suleimani, 29, was threatened by her uncle's associates, Banaz contacted police - she had told officers four times that she feared for her life. The following day - 23 January 2006 - she vanished.
Paul Goddard was acting as duty prosecutor on 3 February 2006 when police asked for authorisation to charge Hama, left, with conspiracy to murder.
"We knew Banaz's family weren't concerned about her, her bank account hadn't been touched and her mobile phone hadn't been used since the day her boyfriend reported her missing, claiming she had been threatened," said Paul.
"At the time there was no body, no crime scene, no forensic evidence, and nothing to prove she had been attacked, let alone killed.
"But from what we did have - everything indicating an honour-based crime - I advised charging murder."
Benaz's body was found by police on 27 April 2006. She had been strangled and buried in a suitcase, left, in a garden in Handsworth, Birmingham.
Hama, from South East London, pleaded guilty to murder at the Old Bailey in March 2007.
The charging decision was endorsed by Damaris, who worked closely with Paul on the case.
After charge she authorised permission for the police to employ surveillance techniques inside the prison where Hama was held.
"This provided us with graphic confessions from Hama that he carried out the murder, coupled with the revelation that Benaz was buried in Birmingham," said Damaris.
Enquiries by detectives revealed extensive telephone contact between Hama and Banaz's father and uncle on 24 January 2006.
Following the 14-week trial, a third man was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Paul, who was assisted by Caseworker Dominic Chalk, rated the case as his most challenging.