Parents Of Warrington Teenager Charged With Her Murder

7 September 2011, 15:08 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

The parents of a Warrington teenager who's the suspected victim of an honour killing have appeared in court charged with their daughter's murder.

Shafilea Ahmed's decomposed remains were discovered on the banks of a river in Cumbria in February 2004 after she disappeared from her home in September 2003.

South Cumbria coroner Ian Smith recorded a verdict of unlawful killing, saying he believed the 17-year-old was probably murdered.

Today Cheshire Police charged the teenager's father Iftikhar, 51, and mother Farzana, 48, with murder.

The couple, of Liverpool Road, Warrington, were remanded to appear before Halton Magistrates' Court, Runcorn.

The court heard that the couple have been charged with murdering the teenager on September 11, 2003 in Cheshire.

The pair appeared in the dock and spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.

The case was adjourned for a bail hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Friday where they will appear via video link for a bail hearing.

Mr Ahmed, wearing an open-necked white shirt, gave family members a thumbs up as he was taken down.

Mrs Ahmed, who was wearing a head scarf and spoke through an interpreter, appeared to be on the verge of tears and nodded to her family during the short hearing.

Mr and Mrs Ahmed have been on police bail since their arrest on suspicion of murder last year.

They have always denied any involvement in their daughter's death.