Yahya Gul jailed for murder of Aliza Mirza in east London, England

An 18-year old man has been jailed for the murder of a former girlfriend in ManorPark.

Yahya Gul, 18, changed his plea at the Old Bailey yesterday (Monday 11 October) and pleaded guilty to the murder of student Aliza Mirza, 18.

Police were called at approximately 19:40hrs on 3 April 2009 to reports of a woman collapsed in Forest View Road E12.

Officers, London Ambulance Service (LAS) and air ambulance (HEMS) all attended and Aliza, who lived with her family in Lansdowne Road, Ilford, was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as a stab wound to the neck.

On 4 April 2009, five people were arrested, and Gul, of CharlburyGardens, Ilford, was charged with murder.

Gul was arrested on the M25 in Essex. It is believed he was attempting to flee the country – he had his passport with him.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but he was subsequently released no further action. Two women [20 ys and 41 ys] and a man [42 ys] were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, but they were subsequently released no further action.

A sixth person, a man 19 ys, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender but was also released no further action.

Gul was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation he serve a minimum of 12 years.

DCI Stephen Clayman of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, who led in investigation, said: "Gul was in a relationship with Aliza.

"It was clear that this was a turbulent relationship, and that Gul was possessive and had been violent to her.

"On the day of the murder he had repeatedly sent her text massages and called her, trying to meet up with her. While she initially declined, she finally agreed to meet him. They met at Manor Park Station and walked the short distance to Forest View Road where he later stabbed her a number of times.

"Gul had taken a knife with him and we have no doubt that it was his intention to murder Aliza.

"Our thoughts go out to Aliza’s family and what is an extremely difficult time for them."