GUILTY UK - Sinead Wooding, 26, murdered, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 14 May 2017

[Tortoise]

[FONT=&quot]Two people found guilty of murdering 26 year old [/FONT]Sinead[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Wooding[FONT=&quot] - whose body was found burnt in woods in Leeds have each been jailed for life with a minimum of 22 years

https://twitter.com/HeartYorkNews
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[Tortoise]

[FONT=&quot]Another woman 26 year old Vicky Briggs was jailed for 4 years for assisting an offender

https://twitter.com/CapitalYORNews
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[CoverMeCagney]

I am pleasantly surprised they got as much as 22 years. Nice one, judge!

What are people's thoughts on the mother and brother?

 

[Tortoise]

I am pleasantly surprised they got as much as 22 years. Nice one, judge!

What are people's thoughts on the mother and brother?

I think they knew but there wasn't enough direct evidence to convict. Wife is missing and he needs a hire car, quickly. I would have asked what for, if you need a car does no one in the family or friends have one he could borrow.

 

[Legally Bland]

I think this is the only reporting we had on the mother and brother. Doesn't seem too believable to me. But it's hard to say with so little reporting.

Asim Ali told Leeds Crown Court he received a succession of calls from his brother Akshar Ali, who is accused of murdering his wife Sinead Wooding, 26.

Mr Ali said his brother "was bugging me" to locate a hire car.


Michael Collins, defending Asim Ali, asked: "Did you know it was for the purpose of depositing a corpse?" Mr Ali replied, "No."


[...]


Asim Ali said he knew nothing of the fate of Ms Wooding when he was driven to Stairfoot Lane in north Leeds by Yasmin Ahmed. His brother, who was drunk, was "lying down" in the back.


The remote spot was where Ms Wooding's body had been dumped hours before.


Asked if he would have assisted with hiring a car had he known of the killing, Asim Ali replied: "No. I probably would have gone to the police."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-42400992

Not sure why they went back to the dump site unless it was to burn the body or check how it was burning.

 

[Legally Bland]

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service, said after the sentencing hearing: "Akshar Ali was Sinead Wooding’s partner, but their relationship was coming to an end in early May 2017. On 11 May the couple were at Yasmin Ahmed’s house. An argument ensued between the couple. Sinead Wooding never left the property alive.

"An examination of blood found in the cellar at that address, taken together with other evidence, was to reveal that she had been murdered in that location on Thursday night, 11 May. Her body was stored there for over two days.

"The defendants Ali and Ahmed engaged in a substantial operation to cover up the murder, including cleaning the cellar and moving and attempting to destroy the body. Sinead’s partially burned body was discovered in woodland to the north of Leeds on the third day after the murder.

"Vicky Briggs was Ahmed’s housemate: she assisted in the cleaning of the scene of the murder in the cellar and in the destruction of blood-stained clothing from the murder on a bonfire.

Prosecutor Duncan Ritchie, said: “Sinead Wooding was killed with brutal ferocity. Calculated plans were made to destroy the evidence of this dreadful crime, and her body was stored for over two days in a cellar before being transported in a borrowed vehicle under cover of darkness to Adel Woods, near Leeds. There it was partially destroyed by fire.

“Forensic scientists discovered blood staining in the cellar of Yasmin Ahmed’s house: the blood bore the DNA of Sinead Wooding. Analysis of the blood spatter patterns indicated that Sinead Wooding had been killed in a ferocious attack involving at least two weapons.

“Although the injuries revealed that they were most likely a hammer and a knife, the actual weapons have never been identified. Once the murder had taken place, Ali and Ahmed attempted to cover up their crime by sending each other a series of false text messages, pretending that Sinead Wooding had left the house unharmed.

“In court the CPS was able to show that the couple’s relationship had been volatile and that Akshar Ali had been violent and controlling towards Sinead Wooding.

“This violence reached its brutal climax on the night of 11 May, when Sinead was murdered. We hope that the verdicts reached in this case are of some comfort to Sinead’s family and friends.”

Read more at: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...eeds-mother-sinead-wooding-s-murder-1-8963137

 

[Tortoise]

Well I'm not sure they used a hire car now, don't know where I got that from, it seems they borrowed it.

This article gives a statement from CPS, nothing yet about the self referral to the IPCC

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...eeds-mother-sinead-wooding-s-murder-1-8963137

 

[Legally Bland]

Well I'm not sure they used a hire car now, don't know where I got that from, it seems they borrowed it.

This article gives a statement from CPS, nothing yet about the self referral to the IPCC

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...eeds-mother-sinead-wooding-s-murder-1-8963137

The quote 2 posts up mentions a hire car, but they must have borrowed one instead.

 

[Tortoise]

Her family have kept a very low profile.

Haven't heard a word, not even a reaction to the verdict.

 

[Legally Bland]

Looks like the IPCC has been rebranded.

The force later referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in June.

The IOPC had completed its investigation into the police actions prior to Ms Wooding's death and at the end of the trial it would update her family, a spokesman said.

"Once all interested parties have been informed we will publish our findings", the statement added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-42717624

 

[Tortoise]

I can hardly wait. :maddening:

 

[Tortoise]

Ms Wooding's family said in a statement: "Sinead's four children are having to grow up without their mum and as they get older will have to deal with knowing that their father killed their mum. No child should have to deal with that.

"No amount of time in prison is ever going to bring Sinead back and it will never be long enough. We will never forgive them for what they have done."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-42717624

 

[Legally Bland]

The kids were there, hopefully not witnessing anything.

The murder trral jury as told Miss Wooding and husband Akshar Ali had argued after drinking at Ali’s accomplice Yasmin Ahmed’s home on Reginald Mount, Potternewton while Miss Wooding's four children were at the house.

Jailing Ali and Ahmed for life, Mr Justice Langstaff, said: "Akshar Ali, you and your wife were on the point of separating. Your relationship was voaltile.

Both of you were from time to time guilty of violence towards each other. "You were, in my view more violent towards her than she was towards you. You could be violent when sober whilst she was aggresive while in drink. "On the evening of the night she died, you plied her with drink, I suspect deliberately. She became intoxicated.. Just after 9pm you began arguing, probably about what would happen to your children when you separated, and you moved into the kitchen at Reginald Mount."

Mr Justice Langstaff said at some point Ali had placed Miss Wooding in the cellar while she was still alive, before taking the children home and returning to the house around an hour later.

Read more at: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...eeds-mother-sinead-wooding-s-murder-1-8963137

 

[Tortoise]

Makes me wonder why YA got involved at all at that point.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Sinead's family and friends outside court today, plus video statement from WYP officer saying it was the most brutal attack he'd seen in 28 years of policing.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...f-her-murder-in-emotional-statement-1-8963509

 

[Tortoise]

(Picture of Briggs at the link too.)

snippets from article -


[FONT=&amp]Cheers and gasps of "yes" could be heard from the public gallery today as Akshar Ali was jailed for 22 years for the "cold-blooded" killing of 26-year-old Sinead Wooding.

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]A court heard several text messages were sent between the married couple where Ali criticised Miss Wooding for her behaviour and social circles.

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Miss Wooding's body was kept in the cellar - accessed via a hatch in the kitchen - at Yasmin Ahmed's home for two days before being transported to woodland.

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[FONT=&amp]"On the night she died you plied her with drink, I suspect deliberately. She became intoxicated and was found to be more twice the legal limit to drive a car.[/FONT]
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"Just after 9pm you began arguing, probably about what would happen to the children once you had separated.[/FONT]
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"At some stage during the course of that argument, those in the living room heard a bang.[/FONT]
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"In my view, the prosecution was right to invite the jury to infer that it was the dropping of a hatch to the cellar.[/FONT]
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"In some way, you had managed to place Miss Wooding in the cellar, she was alive at this stage.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cheers-court-husband-who-bludgeoned-11868998
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[Tortoise]

The IOPC is taking a very long time to publish its findings.

 

[Legally Bland]

Investigation following the death of Sinead Wooding in Leeds concludes

Published 04 Apr 2018

Our investigation following the murder of Sinead Wooding in Leeds is now complete, finding that call-handlers and officers acted appropriately.

Her husband, 27-year-old Akshar Ali, was jailed for her murder in January this year. We looked at West Yorkshire Police’s response to a 999 call, made by Ms Wooding, in the days before she was killed in May 2017.

Our investigation established that 26-year-oldMs Wooding called the force on 10 May 2017 to report receiving malicious calls and texts from her husband. He wasn’t at their home at the time but was claiming to be waiting for her there. She was given advice by the call-handler. Another call-handler contacted Ms Wooding approximately one hour later, and confirmed she was at her home and was safe and well. Officers were dispatched to her home the following day, in line with force policy, but she wasn’t at the address and did not answer calls to her mobile phone.

On 13 May officers went to her home and were told by Akshar Ali that she wasn’t there, and regularly went missing for days at a time. He also called West Yorkshire Police the following day to say he was trying to contact Sinead but couldn’t reach her. Her body was found in woodland close to Eccup Reservoir on the morning of 14 May and Ali was charged with her murder.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said: “Anyone who followed the trial of Akshar Ali cannot fail to have been moved by the senseless brutality of Sinead Wooding’s death, and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

“In analysing all the available evidence, including detailed witness statements from all those involved, our investigation concluded that West Yorkshire Police followed all policies and procedures appropriate to the circumstances at the time and did not cause or contribute to Ms Wooding’s death.”

Ends

https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/news/investigation-following-death-sinead-wooding-leeds-concludes

ETA: Not sure what to think. The police didn't exactly abandon her, but I don't feel comfortable that she went home where AA claimed he was waiting for her only for a welfare call an hour later.

 

[mrazda71]

Investigation following the death of Sinead Wooding in Leeds concludes

Published 04 Apr 2018

Our investigation following the murder of Sinead Wooding in Leeds is now complete, finding that call-handlers and officers acted appropriately.

Her husband, 27-year-old Akshar Ali, was jailed for her murder in January this year. We looked at West Yorkshire Police’s response to a 999 call, made by Ms Wooding, in the days before she was killed in May 2017.

Our investigation established that 26-year-oldMs Wooding called the force on 10 May 2017 to report receiving malicious calls and texts from her husband. He wasn’t at their home at the time but was claiming to be waiting for her there. She was given advice by the call-handler. Another call-handler contacted Ms Wooding approximately one hour later, and confirmed she was at her home and was safe and well. Officers were dispatched to her home the following day, in line with force policy, but she wasn’t at the address and did not answer calls to her mobile phone.

On 13 May officers went to her home and were told by Akshar Ali that she wasn’t there, and regularly went missing for days at a time. He also called West Yorkshire Police the following day to say he was trying to contact Sinead but couldn’t reach her. Her body was found in woodland close to Eccup Reservoir on the morning of 14 May and Ali was charged with her murder.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said: “Anyone who followed the trial of Akshar Ali cannot fail to have been moved by the senseless brutality of Sinead Wooding’s death, and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

“In analysing all the available evidence, including detailed witness statements from all those involved, our investigation concluded that West Yorkshire Police followed all policies and procedures appropriate to the circumstances at the time and did not cause or contribute to Ms Wooding’s death.”

Ends

https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/news/investigation-following-death-sinead-wooding-leeds-concludes

ETA: Not sure what to think. The police didn't exactly abandon her, but I don't feel comfortable that she went home where AA claimed he was waiting for her only for a welfare call an hour later.

It's just not enough really is it

 

[JerseyGirl]

A "woman beater" who stabbed his wife and bludgeoned her with hammer before setting her body alight has been jailed for 22 years.

Akshar Ali, 27, stabbed the mother-of-four six times alongside accomplice Yasmin Ahmed, who was also jailed for 22 years.

Vicky Briggs, 25, of Throstle Road, Middleton was sentenced to four years after being found guilty of assisting an offender by helping to clean up and burn material following the murder.

'Woman beater' gets 22 years for murder