Mahek Bukhari, a TikTok influencer jailed for a minimum of 31 years for murdering her mother's toyboy lover and his friend in a high-speed car chase, has launched an appeal against her sentence. Her barristers argued at the Court of Appeal that the term is 'wholly disproportionate' and should be reduced.
Bukhari, now 26, was convicted alongside her mother Ansreen in September 2023 for the murders of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, both 21, in February 2022. The victims were lured to a Tesco car park in Leicester under the pretence of returning £3,000, then chased along the A46 at speeds up to 100mph before their car was rammed off the road and exploded.
Christopher Millington KC, representing Mahek, argued that the sentence failed to account for Hussain's 'controlling behaviour' and blackmail threats against Ansreen, who had a three-year affair with him. Millington described the killing as 'heat of the moment, rather than cold-blooded murder', adding that the plan involved 'beating up perhaps' but not killing. He also cited Mahek's age and lack of maturity as mitigating factors.
Collingwood Thompson KC, for the Crown Prosecution Service, acknowledged the blackmail but argued the sentence should stand, noting that Mahek and her mother could have gone to the police instead of pursuing the victims. The hearing continues.
