Mohammed Shah Subhani: Informant avoids jail after shallow grave cover-up

Mohammed Shah Subhani's killing has been described as "treachery and betrayal" by his family

A whistleblower who went to police to admit to helping to dispose of a corpse in a woodland grave has avoided being sent to jail.

The man, who cannot be identified, named the murderer of Mohammed Shah Subhani and led them to his remains.

Amraj Poonia was given a life sentence and three accomplices - one of whom was his brother Raneel - were also jailed.

On Friday, the judge gave the informant a suspended sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Mark Dennis KC said: "The evidence given by the defendant heavily implicated Amraj Poonia and provided the only evidence as to the cause of death, namely strangulation."

The Subhani family have visited the woodland where the body was found

Mr Dennis said the defendant had expressed "genuine remorse" and turned away from the drug-taking lifestyle which had brought him into the orbit of organised criminals.

Referring to victim impact statements, he said: "It is clear this event has had a profound effect on the whole family, both the murder itself and the cover-up.

"The nature and circumstances of the death, the disposal of the body and seven months of uncertainty and stress that followed, together with the deception and betrayal brought about by the Poonia brothers, has only exacerbated the pain and loss itself.

"The family, it would appear, do recognise and feel grateful nevertheless at the defendant's decision… whatever happened before."

The court had heard Mr Subhani, 27, was killed after a falling out over a kilo of cannabis that went missing after it was given to Amraj Poonia for safe-keeping.

Mr Subhani was ambushed and strangled by him at the Poonia family business, R&J Plumbing, in Hounslow, west London.

Mr Subhani's body was then rolled up in a carpet to be transported to woodland a couple of days later where it was burnt and buried.

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