Statement - R v Bibi, Khan Naureen and Hussain

13/03/2008

The sentences imposed today upon these defendants we hope will bring to an end the legal process arising from the tragic murder of Sabia Rani by her husband.

Malcolm Taylor, Special Casework Lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service said:

"The sentences imposed today upon these defendants we hope will bring to an end the legal process arising from the tragic murder of Sabia Rani by her husband, which was compounded by the fact that his family, which was also her family, utterly failed to protect her in the face of repeated violence.

"The work of West Yorkshire police, the Crown Prosecution Service, counsel and the courts in bringing these defendants to justice, should bring home to anyone in similar circumstances the fact that, if they choose not to protect a vulnerable person their neglect will bring serious consequences in its wake."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Shazad Khan (25) of Oakwood, Leeds was found guilty of his wife's murder in January 2007.

2. Khan's mother, Phullan Bibi (52), two of his sisters, Uzma Khan (23), and Nazia Naureen (28) and Nazia's husband Majid Hussain (28) were found guilty of Causing or Allowing the Death of a Vulnerable Adult contrary to section 5 (1) and (7) of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004.

3. The convictions are among the first occasions when this legislation has been used after the death of an adult.

4. Phullan Bibi was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment. Uzma Khan and Nazia Naureen were both sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. Majid Hussain received a 1 year suspended sentence, and ordered to complete 40 hours unpaid work.