THERE have been many days of tension and high drama at Chester Crown Court over the past 11 weeks but Friday topped them all.

A packed press bench and public gallery held their breath as the jury confirmed they had a verdict.

Both Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed glared ahead as ‘guilty’ was read out twice before Farzana began to cry while Iftikhar angrily shook his head.

Many broke down in tears in court one while Shafilea’s sister Mevish covered her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Before the sentence was read out, Iftikhar swore at Detective Superintendent Geraint Jones, who began the investigation.

And as their parents learnt they would be spending life behind bars, Shafilea’s brother Junyad and sister Mevish looked stunned.

Many details of what took place in the court room could not be reported until now, including Iftikhar being warned for attempting to influence his daughter Mevish on the witness stand.

She claimed letters detailing how her parents killed Shafilea were ‘creative writing’ while Iftihkar attempted to guide her on how to answer questions.

His interference was noticed by Mr Justice Roderick Evans who furiously told Tom Bayliss QC, defending Iftikhar, the trial would be stopped if he continued.

Mevish, aged 21, was later at the centre of further controversy as she was banned from watching from the public gallery.

On the stand, Ifitkhar was often animated, angry and frustrated. In comparison Farzana was quiet, speaking through an interpreter.