Life in jail for husband who murdered missing wife

For almost a year, teams of police have scoured the A19 in North Yorkshire, in the hope of finding the body of Rania Alayed. She was last seen in June 2013. So far, there has been no trace of the mother-of-three.

Now though, her husband Ahmed Al-Khatib is beginning life in jail for her murder.

The family came to Britain to escape conflict in the Middle East. They set up home on Teesside where neighbours remember Rania as a 'lovely woman' who kept herself to herself.

The family later moved to Greater Manchester.

The trial at Manchester Crown Court heard that Rania was experiencing increasing domestic violence, as her husband grew resentful and jealous of her efforts to improve her life, including enrolling at a college to study English.

In January 2013, Rania left her husband in an effort to escape his abuse. Six months later, she was invited to a flat in Salford, where her husband lay in wait. Police believe she was murdered a short time later.

At the end of the trial, Ahmed Al-Khatib was handed a minimum twenty year jail term for the murder of his twenty five year old wife.

His brother Muhaned Al-Khatib was acquitted of murder but was jailed for three years after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Another brother, Hussain Al-Khateeb, was given a four year jail term after he was convicted of perverting the course of justice.

Greater Manchester Police describe Ahmed Al-Khatib's crime as an 'honour-killing'.

Following the murder, police say the brothers drove Rania's body to North Yorkshire, where they believe it was concealed close to the A19 near Thirsk. A huge operation has been carried out, in an effort to find her remains.

Hundreds of motorists who had used the A19 were contacted in the hunt for information.

So far the work has drawn a blank but police have promised to continue the search for the mother of three.

Watch my full report here: