Ansreen Bukhari, 49, the mother of Midlands TikTok star Mahek Bukhari, has lost her appeal against the length of her life sentence for murder. Three Court of Appeal judges refused to reduce her minimum term of 26 years and nine months, rejecting arguments that it was 'manifestly excessive'.
Background of the Case
Bukhari and her daughter Mahek were involved in a high-speed car chase on the A46 in Leicester in February 2022, which resulted in the deaths of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin. Both women were convicted of murder in September 2023. Mahek was initially jailed for life with a minimum term of 31 years and eight months, later reduced on appeal to 26 years and 285 days. Ansreen received a minimum term of 26 years and nine months.
Appeal Arguments
Christopher Millington KC, representing Ansreen, argued that she had been the target of blackmail by Saqib Hussain, who had demanded £3,000 after an affair. He described a 'relentless campaign of blackmail and coercive behaviour' leading up to the offences, including threats to show sexually compromising material to her family. Millington claimed that Bukhari was 'not regarded as being one of the prime movers' by the trial judge and was 'sucked into' a plan with 'calamitous consequences'.
Prosecution Response
Prosecutor Daren Samat countered that while Bukhari may not have been a 'prime mover', she was 'an essential part of it'. He stated that she lured Hussain to Leicester by telling him he could collect his money from a boy there, adding: 'Without that, he would not be in Leicester.'
Judgment
Lord Justice Jeremy Baker, sitting with Mr Justice Bryan and Judge Simon Hirst, refused the appeal. He said: 'The appellant had many opportunities to prevent escalation of events leading to the deaths of the deceased.' He added: 'We note that the appellant was indeed a central figure and the reason for these offences having taken place, and we are quite satisfied that the minimum term did properly take into account all the matters that have been advanced by Mr Millington.'
Other Convictions
Two other individuals were also convicted of murder alongside the Bukharis, and three others were found guilty of two counts of manslaughter in connection with the same incident.
