AN EVIL butcher who murdered his mother-in-law, chopped up her body and hid the remains has failed to win a cut in the 24 years he must serve behind bars before being eligible for parole.
Barbaric Muhammed Arshad, 38, was jailed for life last year at Preston Crown Court after being found guilty of murdering mum-of-six Zainab Begum, 56, of Burnley Road, Accrington - whose remains have still not been found.
Her eldest daughter Samina Amin, 33, revealed this week that she had not been told her brother-in-law - who worked at Holland's Pies and ran the Millennium takeaway in Accrington - had appealed against the "excessive" sentence.
Mrs Amin, of Queens Road West, Accrington, said: "I am absolutely shocked he appealed but evil knows no shame. He has no conscience.
"Thank God the judge refused the appeal. He has shown no remorse and keeps lying about the events. We are rebuilding our lives at the moment and will continue to do so."
Arshad, of Crumpsall, Manchester, was told at London's Criminal Appeal Court this week that his life sentence was "entirely appropriate".
Judge Richard Brown, sitting with Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Bennett, rejected claims from the killer's QC, Mukhtar Hussain, that the trial judge was wrong to describe Mrs Begum as "particularly vulnerable because of age or disability" - and to claim that as an aggravating feature.
Judge Brown said a life sentence was not excessive in the light of all the circumstances and Arshad must serve 24 years before being eligible for parole.
Detective Inspector Dave Hickey, who was involved in the murder inquiry, said: "We welcome the appeal court's ruling. Despite all that has happened, Muhammed Arshad has still not assisted in the recovery of Mrs Begum's body. The family have been robbed of a woman they loved and of completing their mourning."
Arshad's brother Mohammed Khan, 39, was jailed for seven years for assisting in the disposal of a body. Police plan to re-interview him soon in a bid to find Mrs Begum's remains.
