Rachel Manning murder: Man jailed for killing 19-year-old woman 11 years after former boyfriend wrongly convicted of her killing

Shahidul Ahmed was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years in prison

Shahidul Ahmed (left) was given a life sentence for Rachel Manning's murder (PA)

A man has been given a life sentence for killing a 19-year-old woman, 11 years after her former boyfriend was wrongly jailed for the murder.

Shahidul Ahmed, 41, strangled Rachel Manning in Milton Keynes and disposed of her body at a golf course in 2000. He was today convicted of her murder at Luton Crown Court.

Barri White was convicted of her murder in 2002, but five years later this was quashed by appeal judges and he was acquitted in 2008 after a re-trial.

Mr White's friend Keith Hyatt, who was cleared of murder but convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by helping to dispose of the body in 2002, also had his conviction quashed in 2007 after serving a jail sentence.

Mr Ahmed, from Bletchley, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years.

Mr White said he was “over the moon” that justice has now been done.

He added that he was “really happy that Rachel's family have finally got justice and the closure they deserve”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Mason, of Thames Valley Police said, “What is important about the verdict today is justice for Rachel and her family. I cannot praise Rachel's family enough; they have remained dignified and courageous throughout despite the unimaginable nightmare they have endured. I hope that today will give some comfort to the family after the ordeal they have been through over the past 12 years.

”This has been a long and difficult investigation which has resulted in four criminal trials. Both Barri White and Keith Hyatt gave evidence as prosecution witnesses during this trial and I would like to thank them for their assistance in helping secure this conviction.“

Father-of-five Ahmed stood trial earlier this year, when a jury failed to reach a verdict.

Ahmed, whose DNA was linked to the case following his arrest for a sex attack in 2010, did not give evidence at either trial.

The court heard that the former restaurant worker got rid of his car eight days after Miss Manning's death.

She had been strangled and her face disfigured with a steering lock, which was found 500m from her body.

Baljit Ubhey, chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service, said, ”This case involved the tragic murder of a young woman more than 12 years ago. Rachel Manning, who was trying to find her way home after a night out, had the misfortune to come across Ahmed."