Shafilea murder trial: jury to begin deliberations

A jury is starting its deliberations today in the trial of a couple accused of murdering of their daughter.

Iftikhar Ahmed, 52, and Farzana Ahmed, 49, of Liverpool Road, Warrington, are alleged to have suffocated 17-year-old Shafilea with a plastic bag.

Shafilea disappeared in September 2003. Her body was found on the banks of the River Kent in Cumbria in February 2004.

The prosecution claims she was killed by her parents because she wanted to lead a "westernised" lifestyle. Shafilea's sister, Alesha, claimed she witnessed the murder at their home.

Mr Ahmed denies murder and said Shafilea ran away and he never saw her again.

Mrs Ahmed also denies murder but told the jury she saw her husband beat Shafilea and said she believes he killed her.