A young woman has relived the “nightmare” of witnessing the murder of her close friend at the hands of a “sick” uncle.
The woman, who cannot be identified, was sexually abused by builder Mujahid Arshid as a child.
Then in July last year, the 33-year-old kidnapped and raped her along with Celine Dookhran, 20, who he stuffed into a freezer after cutting her throat.
The surviving woman also suffered serious cuts at Arshid’s hands, causing her permanent scarring.
She went on to described her ordeal in Arshid’s murder trial at the Old Bailey, only to be accused by him of being responsible for Ms Dookhran’s death – a claim dismissed as “absurd” by the trial judge.
Following his conviction, she tearfully read out a statement in court, describing Arshid as an “evil person”.
Mujahid Arshid has been jailed for life with a minimum of 40 years (Met Police/PA).
She regarded Ms Dookhran as being like a “sister”, saying they had been “inseparable” and “as thick as thieves”.
She said: “We would go make-up shopping together, cook together and even have nights in eating junk and watching trashy TV together like sisters do. We always knew we had each other’s back. Words cannot describe how much I miss her.
“On the 19th July 2017, that sick man took an even more depraved step in affecting my life. Hearing the helpless screams and seeing the fear in Celine’s eyes that day. The terrifying visions and muffling sounds will never go away.
“Hearing Celine being killed stops me from closing my eyes and going to sleep like a normal person.”
The woman said she suffered from “constant flashbacks and nightmares” and the scars on her neck and wrists were a “constant reminder of what Celine and I went through”.
The woman, who was forced to give up university and work, said she had also been robbed of her “self esteem and confidence”.
She added: “My dignity, autonomy, self respect, all have been compromised as a result of the heinous crimes against myself and Celine.”
In sentencing Arshid, Mr Justice Edis described the survivor as an “intelligent, resourceful young woman” who managed to fool Arshid into letting her go.