TikTok Star’s 31-Year Murder Sentence Slammed as “Wholly Disproportionate” at Court of Appeal
Mahek Bukhari’s Deadly High-Speed Car Chase
Mahek Bukhari, 24, was slammed with a minimum 31-year jail term in September 2023. She was convicted of murdering her mother’s lover, Saqib Hussain, and his friend Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin during a terrifying 100mph car chase in February 2022.
Her mother Ansreen is serving at least 26 years, while two others were also found guilty of murder. Three more faced manslaughter charges over the shocking case.
£3,000 Affair Drama Ends in Tragedy
The brutal killings stemmed from a nasty row over an affair and alleged blackmail. Hussain, Ansreen’s lover, threatened to leak explicit videos of her unless paid £3,000 he demanded.
The Bukharis cunningly lured Hussain and Ijazuddin to a Tesco car park in Leicester with a fake promise of returning the money. What followed was a deadly ambush and high-speed chase along the busy A46, with cars ramming the victims’ vehicle off the road.
Legal Battle: Defence Claims Sentence “Too Harsh”
“This was heat of the moment, not cold-blooded murder,” said Christopher Millington KC, defending Mahek. “There was no plan to kill, only the risk of violence.”
He slammed the original sentencing for ignoring Hussain’s “controlling behaviour” and blackmail threats made just hours before the attack.
“Mahek’s youth and immaturity mean her sentence should be reduced. The current term is wholly disproportionate,” Millington added.
The court was told the Bukharis had even toyed with going to the police but never did – a decision that proved fatal.
Crown: Sentence “Tough But Fair”
Prosecutors admitted Hussain’s blackmail but insisted the harsh sentences were justified. “If they’d gone to the police, none of this would have happened,” said Collingwood Thompson KC.
Judge Timothy Spencer KC branded Mahek’s social media fame “tawdry” and blasted her “utter self-obsession” and callous disregard for the victims.
The Court of Appeal’s final ruling on whether the sentence will be cut is expected in writing soon.
