Southall murderer fails in High Court appeal

Judge Christopher Moss said the murder was so serious that Nazir must serve 20 years behind bars before even being allowed the chance to apply for his release.

Last Friday, his lawyers challenged the decision at the Criminal Appeal Court, but had their arguments rejected by three top judges, Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, Mr Justice Treacy and Mrs Justice Slade.

Miss Nazir was murdered after asking for permission to marry an Afghan asylum seeker, rather than a man from inside the Pakistani family circle.

The recruitment consultant died after being stabbed 18 times in a barbaric attack at the Nazir family home in Southall in April 2005.

In his appeal grounds, Nazir's barrister, James Lewis QC, argued that the 20-year minimum term was too long and should be reduced.

He had not been the wielder of the murder weapon, he told the three judges.

But, dismissing the appeal arguments, the judges said Nazir had been the older of the two convicted of the killing and deserved to serve the longer term.

He will only be freed after serving his minimum term if he can convince the Parole Board that the danger he poses to the public has passed.

If released, he will then remain subject to strict licence conditions for the rest of his life, subject to immediate recall to prison if he puts a foot wrong.