Iftikhar Ahmed and his wife Farzana were jailed for at least 25 years each at Chester Crown Court today for the murder of their 17-year-old daughter Shafilea.
Iftikhar Ahmed, 52, and his wife Farzana, 49, of Liverpool Road, Warrington, Cheshire, suffocated Shafilea, 17, with a plastic bag in 2003 in an apparent "honour killing".
Shafilea's sister Alesha told the jury at Chester Crown Court her parents pushed Shafilea onto the settee in their house and she heard her mother say "just finish it here" as they forced a plastic bag into the teenager's mouth and killed her in front of their other children.
Iftikhar Ahmed stood impassively as the verdicts were given. His wife wiped tears from her eyes with a tissue.
Their children Junyad, Mevish and the youngest, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all broke down in tears.
Mevish Ahmed put her head in her hands and wept as the judge began discussing sentencing.
Speaking after the verdicts, Shafilea's close friend, Melissa Powner, read a statement to the media in which she paid tribute to the teenager and spoke about the pain of having to watch as her killers roamed free.
Ms Powner said: "We have waited for this day for many years. We have watched as her killers roamed free.
"Yet today we heard those important words - words that have finally brought our friend the justice she deserves.
"Shafilea was a caring, high-spirited and brave young lady - who, even in her toughest times, always strived to remain positive and hopeful that one day she too would be able to live the peaceful and happy life that she deserved.
"Shafilea was an amazing friend, who, no matter what her own situation was, would always strive to look out for others - a quality that we truly miss.
"We would cry together, laugh together and even on the odd occasion would sit, rushing some last-minute homework before next period but that was not very often, as she was usually the goodie two-shoes that completed it on time!
"Shafilea had a great sense of humour, a fun personality and great smile - and, although a cliched saying, she really could light up a room with her presence; therefore, I believe I speak for many when I say she is and always will be sadly missed."
She added: "Shafilea was an extremely intelligent young lady who we have no doubt would have accomplished her personal ambitions of becoming a lawyer - yet this opportunity was unfairly snatched away from her when her life was ruthlessly taken for reasons we cannot even begin to comprehend, reasons that, still, other young girls like Shafilea have to face on a daily basis behind closed doors.
"If there is one thing that we pray will come from this, it is that her beautiful face and tragic story will inspire others to seek help and make them realise that this kind of vile treatment, no matter what culture or background they are from, is not acceptable and there is a way out."
