26/06/2008

Men Jailed For 'Honour' Killing

Four men have been jailed for the "cold blooded execution" of a man in West Yorkshire.

Mian Shahid Mehmood, 29, was shot dead in February 2007.

Sam Lee, John Reeves, Naveed Mahmood and Arza Khan were convicted of the murder at Leeds Crown Court.

Reeves, Mahmood and Khan will serve a minimum of 32 years in jail before they will be eligible to apply for parole.

Lee will serve at least 25 years.

Another man is to face a re-trial for his part in the killing.

Mr Mehmood, from Pakistan, was found dead in a remote location in the outskirts of Halifax. It is understood he had moved to Halifax to be with his 23-year-old wife, Yasmin.

The court heard that Khan had disproved of his sister Yasmin's husband and instructed the other men to carry out the execution.

Sentencing, Judge James Stewart, QC said: "This was a planned execution of an innocent victim for other reason other than he married the person he loved, contrary to your wishes Arza Khan.

Judge Stewart said "there was no honour in what you did, quite the reverse" and "you have brought dishonour and disgrace upon your family".

"This sort of behaviour in a civilised world cannot be tolerated," he said.

It is understood Reeves was the gunman and Lee provided the "muscles" in case the victim fought back.

See:

Police identify man shot in Halifax


(DS)

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