A man has been sentenced to life in prison after confessing to killing his wife by stabbing her and burying her beneath a newly planted bed of flowers in their shared property. The incident took place in Penylan, Cardiff, where the couple had lived together. The perpetrator, Alireza Askari, 42, admitted to murdering Paria Veisi, 37, who had moved to the UK from Iran. The court heard that Askari had purchased knives, including the murder weapon, on the day of the incident. He then proceeded to kill Veisi and concealed her body in a makeshift grave in the garden.
Askari was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years for the murder and preventing a lawful burial. He also misled others by pretending to be his deceased wife, sending messages from her phone and moving her car to create a false narrative. Delavary, Askari’s aunt, was involved in covering up the crime and pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, receiving a prison sentence as well.
An investigation was launched after Veisi was reported missing by a friend who suspected foul play by her ex-husband. Askari was arrested with suspicious items in his possession, indicating plans to destroy evidence. Text messages revealed his intentions to harm Veisi. Her body was found buried in the garden, showing signs of a violent attack.
The court highlighted the tragic impact of Veisi’s murder on her family, emphasizing the irreparable loss they have suffered. Askari’s defense cited mental health issues, but the judge dismissed this, pointing out the calculated nature of the crime. The sentence was reduced due to time spent in custody, ensuring a lengthy prison term for Askari. Mrs. Justice Stacey condemned the heinous act, noting that Veisi was beginning a new chapter in her life before it was abruptly taken away. The court described Veisi as a vibrant and beloved individual whose untimely death devastated her loved ones.