JUSTICE AT L AST!
It wasn’t until 2010 that a break in the case finally came.
Another 19-year-old woman accidentally got into a car that she thought was a taxi and was subsequently sexually abused by the driver. DNA that was collected later flagged a match – to evidence taken from the steering lock that had been used to club Rachel.
The DNA belonged to Shahidul Ahmed – a fatherof-five from Bletchley, Buckinghamshire. He was arrested and finally stood trial in 2013 – but devastatingly, jurors failed to reach a verdict.
Fortunately, a retrial was granted in September that same year and this time, Ahmed was found guilty. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 17 years.
Mr Justice Wilkie told him: ‘Rachel was a charming, witty, gregarious, happy person. You snuffed all that out, driven by the same demon that led you, in 2010, to carry out a sex assault. You have accosted Rachel when she was at her most vulnerable.’
After the hearing, Liz Manning said in a statement: ‘ We are relieved with the verdict which has been reached today and appreciate that, although the jury has been presented with many complexities during the evidence, they’ve been able to reach what we consider a just conclusion.’
After various false starts and court trials, perhaps now Rachel can finally rest in peace.
Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Mason of Thames Valley Police said at the time, ‘I cannot praise Rachel’s family enough; they have remained dignified and courageous throughout, despite the unimaginable nightmare they have endured.
‘I hope that today will give some comfort to the family after the ordeal they have been through over the past 12 years.’
Barri White and Keith Hyatt have tried to resume their lives. Shahidul Ahmed remains behind bars. Even though justice has been served, Rachel’s life was cut tragically short, her loss no doubt still felt by her grieving loved ones.
Rachel’s story is part of the new series of Murdertown, premiering on Crime+Investigation on 27 September at 9pm.
‘You accosted Rachel when she was at her most vulnerable’