Teenager found guilty of murder

A teenager's been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend in the Thames valley.

Gulamyr Akhter19 year old Gulemyr Akhter of Reading's Victoria way was told by a judge at Reading Crown Court that he will serve a minimum of 20 years for stabbing 18 year old A level student Asha Muneer as she walked along a footpath in the Katesgrove area of Reading on 18 January 2010.

Her body was found by a jogger next to the River Kennet.

Her family has released the following statement:

“We have been torn apart by the loss of Asha, who was a beautiful young lady who had so many dreams and hopes for her life, now those dreams will never come true all because of one man’s pure evil and jealousy eaten up with rage.Because of this man we have lost everything and as a family the pain and suffering we feel only gets worse as days go by.

“The trial has been a terrible ordeal for us all but we are happy to see that justice has been done.”

Det Supt Karen Trego, who led the investigation, said: “This was a determined attack which left a young girl dead and has caused a family to suffer the loss of their much loved daughter.

“Akhter has shown no remorse for killing his former girlfriend and his denials of any involvement has forced Asha’s family to endure a lengthy trial.

“Asha’s family have maintained a quiet dignity between her death and the trial and they have asked for some privacy to come to terms with what has happened.”

Supt Stuart Greenfield, the Reading Local Policing Area Commander, spoke to Heart after sentencing.

 

CPS prosecutor Alan Blake said: “Asha Muneer was a vibrant and popular young woman with her whole life ahead of her. She had ended her relationship with ex-boyfriend Gulamyr Akhter last summer and moved on with her life, but he could not accept this, and harassed her by bombarding her with threatening text messages.

“On January 18 this year, Gulamyr followed Asha after work and stabbed her in a pre-meditated and vicious knife attack, on a cold, dark night in an isolated spot on a riverside path in Reading.

“Gulamyr Akhter can only be described as manipulative and controlling. He lied to police and gave a false alibi, then sought to cover up his actions by burning his clothes. The evidence was overwhelming – there was CCTV footage, witness accounts and mobile phone call and cell site analysis. The CPS had no hesitation therefore in bringing this man before the courts.

‘It was for the jury to decide his fate and it will be for the judge to determine an appropriate sentence. Our thoughts are now with the family and friends of Asha and their tragic loss. I would also like to commend their resolve and dignity throughout the trial.’