Shahidul Ahmed

Background

Shahidul Ahmed, 41, from Bletchley, was convicted of the murder of Rachel Manning, 19, in 2013. Rachel Manning was murdered in Milton Keynes in 2000. Her former boyfriend, Barri White, was wrongly convicted of her murder in 2002 but was acquitted in 2008 after his conviction was quashed. Keith Hyatt, a friend of Barri White, was convicted of helping to dispose of the body but had his conviction quashed in 2007 after serving a jail sentence. Ahmed was linked to the case through DNA evidence found on the steering lock used to disfigure Rachel Manning's face.

The offence

Rachel Manning was strangled and her face was disfigured with a car steering lock. The attack occurred after she made a late-night call from a public phone box in Milton Keynes, stating she was lost. Her body was found at Woburn Golf Club in the undergrowth on December 12, 2000. Ahmed disfigured her face with the steering lock, which had his DNA on it. She had been on her way home from a fancy-dress party and nightclub. She was last seen calling her flatmate and her boyfriend, Barri White, to arrange to meet. Her body was dumped on the golf course.

Investigation

Ahmed was arrested in 2010 after police matched his DNA to traces left on the steering lock and her clothes. The DNA was linked to him following an unrelated sex attack arrest six months earlier. The prosecution argued that he murdered her after she rejected his sexual advances and disfigured her face with the steering lock. The investigation involved multiple trials, with the initial conviction of Barri White being quashed after a BBC’s Rough Justice programme uncovered forensic errors. New forensic evidence in 2010 led to Ahmed's arrest.

Arrest

Ahmed was arrested at his home in Bletchley in December 2011. He was remanded in custody and appeared before Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court, then at Luton Crown Court.

Trial

Ahmed's trial took place at Luton Crown Court. The prosecution presented DNA evidence linking him to the steering lock. The case was based on forensic evidence indicating he disfigured Rachel Manning's face with a car steering lock and murdered her. The trial also referenced the earlier wrongful convictions of Barri White and Keith Hyatt, which were later overturned. Ahmed did not give evidence at either trial.

Sentencing

On September 4, 2013, Ahmed was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years. Judge Wilkie stated that Ahmed lived undetected with the knowledge of his crime for almost ten years and expressed sympathy for Rachel Manning’s family.

Appeals

Barri White’s conviction was quashed in 2007, and he was acquitted at a retrial in 2008. Keith Hyatt’s conviction was also quashed after serving his sentence. The investigation into Rachel Manning’s murder was re-opened after these exonerations, leading to Ahmed’s arrest and conviction.

Outcome

Shahidul Ahmed was convicted of Rachel Manning’s murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years. He disfigured the victim’s face with a car steering lock.

Aftermath

Rachel Manning’s family expressed relief that justice was finally served. Barri White expressed happiness that the correct person was convicted. Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Mason praised the family’s dignity and the investigation’s efforts.