A builder has been jailed for at least 40 years after raping and murdering his 20-year-old niece and raping a second woman.
Mujahid Arshid, 33, of Homefield Gardens, Mitcham, has been sentenced after being found guilty at the Old Bailey on Wednesday (February 14) of raping and kidnapping two women, one of which was his niece Celine Dookhran.
He was also found guilty of murdering his niece Celine Dookhran, attempted murder of a surviving woman, and sexually assaulting the surviving victim when she was 13.
Ms Dookhran's family shouted "yes" as he was convicted after 14 hours of deliberations by the jury.
Arshid said in the dock: "The (survivor) killed all of them. She's lied to you."
The woman wept in court but appealed for others to remain calm.
The court had heard how Arshid kidnapped the women in July last year and bundled them into a pick-up truck, bound and gagged.
Arshid took them to a six-bedroom house he was renovating in Coombe Lane West in Kingston where he killed Barclays worker Ms Dookhran and stuffed her body into a freezer.
Jurors heard how the other woman survived by talking Arshid around after he cut her throat.
But the defendant blamed the surviving woman for killing Ms Dookhran in a fit of jealousy after he had consensual sex with both of them.
Arshid, formerly of south west London, denied all the charges of which he has now been found guilty of.
A second man, Vincent Tappu, 28, of Spencer Road, Ealing, who was accused of helping Arshid kidnap the women, was found not guilty.
The family of the surviving victim said in a statement: "Mujahid Arshid tried to destroy the life of the surviving victim ever since she met him, he has manipulated and lied repeatedly, and continued this throughout the trial.
"Mujahid Arshid persistently fabricated the truth and attempted to deceive the courts and the same can be said of those that have supported him during the course of this trial.
"More so, Arshid, by pleading not guilty, ensured that the surviving victim would have to relive that horrific day in minuscule detail during the course of this trial. He showed not an ounce of remorse throughout this trial, in spite of the hurt and pain he purposefully caused. He should hang his head in shame!
"We would like to thank everyone who has supported the surviving victim throughout this ordeal, especially friends and family.
"We would like to give a special mention to Celine Dookhran who was tragically murdered by Mujahid Arshid. She was an amazingly brilliant, talented, kind, loving and innocent person. She will be always remembered and loved.
"The surviving victim has asked for privacy from all forms of media and press so she can take some time to attempt to rebuild and move on with her life."
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Price, who led the investigation, said: "This was a sexually motivated attack of unspeakable violence and horror which ended in one murder, with a second surviving victim suffering serious injuries and ongoing trauma.
"Throughout the trial, Arshid's attempts to deflect blame from himself have been deplorable. I am glad the jury have seen through his lies and have convicted him of these horrific crimes.
"Celine's family have been forced to sit through weeks of reliving their daughter's last hours and they have done this with absolute dignity. Their distress has been compounded by the fact Arshid was someone they knew and trusted.
"I would like to pay tribute to them, and the surviving victim, who have shown great strength and courage during this investigation - this is in complete contrast to Arshid's cowardice."
Navnit Dosanjh, of the CPS, added: “This was a pre-meditated series of crimes in which the victims were deliberately targeted and endured violent sexual assaults at the hands of Arshid after he plotted their kidnap.
“The prosecution was able to prove his guilt through careful analysis and the presentation of evidence, including mobile phone data and DNA evidence which demonstrated his participation in these appalling crimes.
“Arshid showed no remorse. He attempted to evade arrest after the killing and even accused the surviving victim of having carried out the murder herself.
“The surviving victim showed immense courage and resilience in reliving her ordeal in the witness box when giving evidence. I would like to thank her for that bravery, and our thoughts are with her and the family of Celine Dookhran at this time.”
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