Man who murdered ex-wife and buried her in garden is jailed for life

A man who murdered his ex-wife and buried her under patio slabs in his back garden has been jailed.

"Cold-blooded" Alireza Askari, 42, admitted killing Paria Veisi, 37, at the property they had previously shared in Penylan, Cardiff, on 12 April last year.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how he then hid her body underneath a "makeshift grave" concealed by patio slabs, soil and newly-planted flowers.

On Friday, Mrs Justice Stacey sentenced Askari to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years.

The court previously heard Askari and Ms Veisi moved to the UK from Iran in 2010 and had married, but were living separately at the time of the murder.

Police later discovered that he was texting a woman in Iran - thought to be his girlfriend.

In one message he said: "I'm planning for them to kill her in Iran."

On the day of the attack he purchased a set of kitchen knives from a supermarket before enlisting his aunt, Maryam Delavary, 48, to bring him bleach, compost and plants.

"On arrival, Maryam Delavary was to assist in the covering up of Paria's murder," William Hughes KC, prosecuting, said.

The next day a friend of Ms Veisi's contacted police, fearing she was "being kept against her will by her ex-husband".

On 15 April, Askari was arrested driving to Cardiff. Inside his car were canisters containing caustic soda.

"These chemicals, say the prosecution, were to be used in the destruction of Paria's remains," Mr Hughes added.

Following a search of the property, Ms Veisi's body was found in the rear garden beneath patio slabs, soil and newly-planted flowers.

She had suffered four stab wounds, with injuries to her chest and neck.

Addressing Askari, Mrs Justice Stacey said: "She was in the prime of her life, her death has destroyed her family's happiness, as you knew it would.

"You killed your ex-wife because she wanted a divorce and had left you less than two weeks earlier.

"Your hypocrisy was staggering - at the same time you wanted (Paria) out of the way so you could take up with your girlfriend in Iran."

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Askari, of Penylan, Cardiff, had previously pleaded guilty to murder and preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body at Cardiff Crown Court.

A further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was ordered to lie on file.

Delavary of Australia Road, White City Estate, west London, previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

She was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment.

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