Jailed for life: Bradford cabbie who killed wife's lover and fled to Pakistan

Taxi driver Mohammed Zubair, 36, battered to death electrician Ahmedin Khyel and his friend Imran Khan during a “savage” attack in May 2011 and after dumping their bodies on a secluded road in Tong village he took a flight to Islamabad.

Judge Rodney Jameson QC said he had no doubt that Zubair intended never to return to this country and added: ”Were it not for the efforts of both the British and Pakistani authorities to achieve justice without the benefit of an extradition treaty that end might have been achieved.”

Bradford Crown Court heard today that Zubair was detained in Pakistan in November 2013, but he was not returned to the UK until May last year after he appealed against the extradition procedure.

At the time of his return it was reported that it had been the first extradition from Pakistan to the UK in 10 years.

A jury found Zubair guilty of murdering both men in the living room of his home in Heath Terrace, Barkerend, on Tuesday afternoon and today Judge Jameson imposed life sentences with a minimum term of 31 years and 99 days.

The court heart that Mr Khyel, a married father-of-seven, had been having an affair with Zubair’s wife Kainat Bibi and the defendant had known about it for some months before the murders.

Mr Khyel, from London, and Bradford man Mr Khan, went to the house that evening believing it was safe, but Zubair already knew they were coming and had gone there with two other men.

Judge Jameson said Mr Khyel was taken by surprise and struck a number of “savage blows” most of them with a dumb-bell bar.

“There were a total of not less than six blows, causing fractures to the skull and driving fragments of the skull into the brain,” said Judge Jameson.

“Imran Khan was killed in similar fashion. His misfortune was to be in company with his friend as you attacked him. He suffered not less than 13 blows, many to the head, causing fractures to his skull also.”

Mr Khan’s body bore the marks of defensive injuries and Judge Jameson said his death must have been terrifying.

“After the murders you made arrangements to cover up what had happened,” the judge told Zubair.

“You took the bodies and dumped them, there is no other word, in a dark lane on the outskirts of Bradford. You cleaned, or organised the cleaning of your home and the taxi van in which you had removed the bodies.

“Within 24 hours you had taken a flight to Islamabad where you remained for five years until you were extradited.”

Judge Jameson commended the police officers and officials who had ensured that Zubair was brought back to this country.

Speaking after Zubair had been sentenced, Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, Senior Investigating Officer for West Yorkshire Police, said: “I would firstly like to thank the Pakistani authorities, who have played a crucial role in this investigation by arresting Zubair and ensuring his extradition back to the UK to face justice.　

“His victims, Shahbzada Muhammed Imran and Ahmedin Sayed Khyel, were brutally murdered and I hope their families will finally have some comfort knowing that their killer is now facing a life sentence.

“Zubair fled the country shortly after he had killed his victims in the belief that he would also escape justice for these horrendous crimes. 　

“I hope this case sends out a message that West Yorkshire Police will use all available methods to bring dangerous men like Zubair to justice, wherever in the world they might be.”