Original subtitles

NARRATOR: Cardiff, New Year's Eve, 2014.

NARRATOR: Cardiff, New Year's Eve, 2014.

The body of a young woman is discovered in a hotel room

The body of a young woman is discovered in a hotel room

at the Future Inn in Cardiff Bay.

at the Future Inn in Cardiff Bay.

The body is staged as a suicide,

The body is staged as a suicide,

but quickly, police realise

there's something far more sinister going on.

Her body had been washed, somewhat bizarrely,

Her body had been washed, somewhat bizarrely,

and placed in a duvet,

in a pose with her hands across her chest

in a pose with her hands across her chest

and with a suicide note stating...

and with a suicide note stating...

There's no question that this would be a terrible, terrible shock.

There's no question that this would be a terrible, terrible shock.

This was a murder that had happened in a hotel room,

This was a murder that had happened in a hotel room,

and it became very quickly clear that this was

and it became very quickly clear that this was

a very serious and quite unusual case.

a very serious and quite unusual case.

At the first stages, they didn't know who was responsible for this,

At the first stages, they didn't know who was responsible for this,

and they were obviously still at large at that point.

and they were obviously still at large at that point.

A large-scale manhunt is launched to find her murderer.

A large-scale manhunt is launched to find her murderer.

He was giving false locations as to where he was in the world

He was giving false locations as to where he was in the world

He was giving false locations as to where he was in the world

and clearly enjoying the opportunity

and clearly enjoying the opportunity

to just taunt the investigation team.

to just taunt the investigation team.

Her family thought that her killer would never be brought to justice.

Her family thought that her killer would never be brought to justice.

Her family thought that her killer would never be brought to justice.

This is the story

of one of the most shocking hotel murders in Britain,

of one of the most shocking hotel murders in Britain,

which led to a manhunt across the world.

which led to a manhunt across the world.

Just how appalling the crime was

Just how appalling the crime was

and the investigation that went on after

and the investigation that went on after

was something I'll never forget.

The Future Inn hotel is in Cardiff Bay.

It's a kind of a mid-range hotel, if you like,

probably equivalent to a, you know, Holiday Inn or something like that.

probably equivalent to a, you know, Holiday Inn or something like that.

And it's in an ideal location if you were to be a visitor to Cardiff.

And it's in an ideal location if you were to be a visitor to Cardiff.

It's very close to the attractions in Cardiff Bay

It's very close to the attractions in Cardiff Bay

and the waterfront itself,

and it's also within easy walking distance of the city centre.

and it's also within easy walking distance of the city centre.

It's sort of an up-and-coming area of Cardiff.

Previously, it was known as Tiger Bay.

Previously, it was known as Tiger Bay.

It was Cardiff's melting pot, really,

of all different sort of cultures

and people from all over the world coming to live there.

and people from all over the world coming to live there.

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, situated in the southeast of Wales.

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, situated in the southeast of Wales.

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, situated in the southeast of Wales.

A fairly large city population of just under 400,000.

A fairly large city population of just under 400,000.

A fairly large city population of just under 400,000.

The crime rate in Cardiff would be fairly comparative

The crime rate in Cardiff would be fairly comparative

with similar cities of similar sizes.

It'll have its own issues,

but nothing particularly unusual.

but nothing particularly unusual.

You kind of get sort of petty crime, like burglaries, like thefts.

You kind of get sort of petty crime, like burglaries, like thefts.

You kind of get sort of petty crime, like burglaries, like thefts.

Every now and again, sort of assaults.

Every now and again, sort of assaults.

For a murder to happen, that was quite out of the ordinary, really.

For a murder to happen, that was quite out of the ordinary, really.

Cardiff is home to 28-year-old student Nadine Aburas.

Cardiff is home to 28-year-old student Nadine Aburas.

She was a local girl from Cardiff Bay.

Was very sort of close to her family -

her mother and her siblings.

Nadine was talented, she was slim, she was petite.

Nadine was talented, she was slim, she was petite.

Nadine was talented, she was slim, she was petite.

She was the centre of a very devout Muslim family.

She was the centre of a very devout Muslim family.

She was a sister to six brothers and sisters.

She was a sister to six brothers and sisters.

She was aunt to nine nieces and nephews.

She was aunt to nine nieces and nephews.

Her mother, Andrea, described her as the glue of the family.

Her mother, Andrea, described her as the glue of the family.

Sadly, one gaping hole in her life was the fact that she hadn't,

Sadly, one gaping hole in her life was the fact that she hadn't,

unlike many of her brothers and sisters, met the right person.

unlike many of her brothers and sisters, met the right person.

Nadine had previously been in a relationship with a Muslim man.

Nadine had previously been in a relationship with a Muslim man.

Unfortunately, that relationship hadn't worked out,

Unfortunately, that relationship hadn't worked out,

and they had separated and divorced,

and they had separated and divorced,

and Nadine was looking to find companionship and a partner.

and Nadine was looking to find companionship and a partner.

and Nadine was looking to find companionship and a partner.

One of the areas that Nadine looked

One of the areas that Nadine looked

to find a partner was using an online dating site.

to find a partner was using an online dating site.

The dating site focused its services for people of a Muslim faith.

The dating site focused its services for people of a Muslim faith.

The dating site focused its services for people of a Muslim faith.

Over about the last 10, 15 years, the internet is used by everybody.

Over about the last 10, 15 years, the internet is used by everybody.

Over about the last 10, 15 years, the internet is used by everybody.

There's a new expression, actually, at the moment

called "social internet usage".

Erm, if you look at how you and I and other people

Erm, if you look at how you and I and other people

will now use the internet, as you get older,

will now use the internet, as you get older,

it tends to be far more about family matters and business matters.

it tends to be far more about family matters and business matters.

But when you're young, the internet is gonna be used

But when you're young, the internet is gonna be used

for social internet usage,

which means it's going to be about social media.

which means it's going to be about social media.

It's gonna be now about apps.

It's going to be about contacting people.

As we now know, you've got over 50% of most relationships

As we now know, you've got over 50% of most relationships

As we now know, you've got over 50% of most relationships

now begin in the online world.

now begin in the online world.

A lot of that is to do with ease of connectivity and communication,

A lot of that is to do with ease of connectivity and communication,

A lot of that is to do with ease of connectivity and communication,

but also, there's a feeling or belief that there's a safety to it,

but also, there's a feeling or belief that there's a safety to it,

which unfortunately, it's not always gonna be that safe.

which unfortunately, it's not always gonna be that safe.

which unfortunately, it's not always gonna be that safe.

I get asked many, many occasions,

I get asked many, many occasions,

"Has the internet created, if you like, sexual predators?"

"Has the internet created, if you like, sexual predators?"

The answer to that is quite easy. Well, no, it hasn't.

The answer to that is quite easy. Well, no, it hasn't.

But what it does, it facilitates.

If you go back over time, most relationships began, in my day,

If you go back over time, most relationships began, in my day,

you'd go to a bar, you'd go to a restaurant.

you'd go to a bar, you'd go to a restaurant.

But you'd go with company, you'd go with your friends, your mates.

But you'd go with company, you'd go with your friends, your mates.

And what would happen then, you might see somebody,

And what would happen then, you might see somebody,

and there was always that extra element of safety

and there was always that extra element of safety

because of numbers.

That's not where we are with the internet,

especially when it comes to social dating

especially when it comes to social dating

or dating sites or dating apps.

You might feel safe because of where you're accessing the app,

You might feel safe because of where you're accessing the app,

but of course, you are alone, and if there's any sort of vulnerability,

but of course, you are alone, and if there's any sort of vulnerability,

there's always gonna be the possibility

of being online to somebody

who's going to lie and be an online predator.

who's going to lie and be an online predator.

On New Year's Eve 2014,

On New Year's Eve 2014,

a shocking discovery is made at the Future Inn hotel.

a shocking discovery is made at the Future Inn hotel.

The duty cleaner initially went into the Room 203

The duty cleaner initially went into the Room 203

at the Future Inn in Cardiff Bay, despite the fact

at the Future Inn in Cardiff Bay, despite the fact

there was a do-not-disturb sign on the door

and went in and discovered a woman looking very, very peaceful,

and went in and discovered a woman looking very, very peaceful,

tucked up in bed, the covers drawn up to her neck.

tucked up in bed, the covers drawn up to her neck.

There was a suicide note that had been scribbled

There was a suicide note that had been scribbled

on a handwritten piece of paper next to her.

on a handwritten piece of paper next to her.

on a handwritten piece of paper next to her.

Then a call is then, within minutes, made to South Wales Police,

Then a call is then, within minutes, made to South Wales Police,

notifying them that a body has been discovered.

notifying them that a body has been discovered.

Police officers rush to the scene.

While there was a fairly large police presence,

While there was a fairly large police presence,

and they were having to kind of be fairly discreet,

and they were having to kind of be fairly discreet,

it wasn't a case where a large area of Cardiff Bay or whatever

it wasn't a case where a large area of Cardiff Bay or whatever

was cordoned off,

because that simply isn't something that can happen.

because that simply isn't something that can happen.

The hotel has got guests, it's got bookings and things like that.

The hotel has got guests, it's got bookings and things like that.

The hotel has got guests, it's got bookings and things like that.

The police needed to do their work,

and that was obviously prioritised by all.

and that was obviously prioritised by all.

But the scene itself, you know, as somebody that...

But the scene itself, you know, as somebody that...

you could walk past it,

and you'd see there was police activity.

But unless you either knew the circumstances,

But unless you either knew the circumstances,

or unless you were within the building,

you probably wouldn't have had quite a sense of the gravity of it,

you probably wouldn't have had quite a sense of the gravity of it,

because obviously, the crime itself

was effectively contained within Room 203.

was effectively contained within Room 203.

We found out that the person who was found dead in the hotel

We found out that the person who was found dead in the hotel

was Nadine Aburas.

Nadine was 28 years old.

Nadine was 28 years old.

She was a local girl from Cardiff Bay.

Was very sort of close to her family -

Was very sort of close to her family -

her mother and her siblings.

She's a very sort of happy woman. She was a student and studying.

She's a very sort of happy woman. She was a student and studying.

Nadine was talented, she was slim, she was petite.

Nadine was talented, she was slim, she was petite.

She was the centre of a very devout Muslim family.

She was the centre of a very devout Muslim family.

She was just an ordinary girl, really, and no-one could have known

She was just an ordinary girl, really, and no-one could have known

this sort of thing would've happened to her.

As detectives comb through Room 203,

As detectives comb through Room 203,

the scene tells a story far more sinister than it first appears.

the scene tells a story far more sinister than it first appears.

the scene tells a story far more sinister than it first appears.

Police have attended the scene.

They're suspicious, they're checking everything out.

They're suspicious, they're checking everything out.

Her body had been washed, somewhat bizarrely,

Her body had been washed, somewhat bizarrely,

and placed in a duvet,

in a pose with her hands across her chest,

in a pose with her hands across her chest,

and with a suicide note stating...

and with a suicide note stating...

But something doesn't look quite right to them.

But something doesn't look quite right to them.

This apparent suicide note doesn't feel quite right.

This apparent suicide note doesn't feel quite right.

The circumstances don't look right.

Upon closer inspection of Nadine's body,

Upon closer inspection of Nadine's body,

it became clear that this was not a suicide,

it became clear that this was not a suicide,

but rather a murder.

The investigation's established that she had been strangled.

The investigation's established that she had been strangled.

Had just been left in the hotel room.

Had just been left in the hotel room.

At the first stages, they didn't know who was responsible for this,

At the first stages, they didn't know who was responsible for this,

and they were obviously still at large at that point.

and they were obviously still at large at that point.

The hunt for the killer has begun,

but who exactly are police searching for?

but who exactly are police searching for?

NARRATOR: Cardiff, New Year's Eve, 2014.

NARRATOR: Cardiff, New Year's Eve, 2014.

28-year-old Nadine Aburas is found dead in Room 203

28-year-old Nadine Aburas is found dead in Room 203

28-year-old Nadine Aburas is found dead in Room 203

at the Future Inn hotel.

She is tucked up in bed with an apparent suicide note next to her.

She is tucked up in bed with an apparent suicide note next to her.

But police quickly realise

the young woman did not take her own life.

the young woman did not take her own life.

She has been strangled.

She has been strangled.

The investigation is now underway.

The investigation is now underway.

The first time that I became aware of this,

The first time that I became aware of this,

as with most of the media, was very early in 2015.

as with most of the media, was very early in 2015.

It became clear that there had been a crime

It became clear that there had been a crime

at the Future Inns hotel in Cardiff Bay,

at the Future Inns hotel in Cardiff Bay,

and it became clear that this was a murder.

and it became clear that this was a murder.

So, initially, that was all the, you know,

So, initially, that was all the, you know,

the kind of drip, drip of information that begins to come out,

the kind of drip, drip of information that begins to come out,

particularly with it being New Year's Day that this was discovered.

particularly with it being New Year's Day that this was discovered.

particularly with it being New Year's Day that this was discovered.

But it very quickly snowballed into a much higher-profile case

But it very quickly snowballed into a much higher-profile case

that went on for a protracted period of time,

that went on for a protracted period of time,

but with a large media involvement as well.

but with a large media involvement as well.

The circumstances of the case inevitably meant

The circumstances of the case inevitably meant

that there was some significant coverage in the local media,

that there was some significant coverage in the local media,

and national media as well, about this incident.

and national media as well, about this incident.

It became very quickly clear

It became very quickly clear

that this was a very serious and quite unusual case, really,

that this was a very serious and quite unusual case, really,

and that Nadine Aburas, very sadly,

and that Nadine Aburas, very sadly,

was named as the victim that had died.

She actually lived within sight,

certainly within a few hundred metres,

of the hotel where she ultimately met her death.

of the hotel where she ultimately met her death.

Speaking with hotel staff,

police learn that Nadine arrived at the hotel

police learn that Nadine arrived at the hotel

accompanied by a man the night before her body was found.

accompanied by a man the night before her body was found.

She'd been there with a former partner,

She'd been there with a former partner,

Sammy Almahri, from New York.

Sammy Almahri, from New York.

In 2012, Nadine started to talk online

In 2012, Nadine started to talk online

with an individual called Sammy Almahri.

with an individual called Sammy Almahri.

That relationship continued very much online, with chats,

That relationship continued very much online, with chats,

That relationship continued very much online, with chats,

for over a year.

for over a year.

He had a flat in Brooklyn.

He was, like many New Yorkers, brash, self-confident,

He was, like many New Yorkers, brash, self-confident,

He was, like many New Yorkers, brash, self-confident,

not unhappy in a confrontation.

not unhappy in a confrontation.

But these were qualities that Nadine admired.

But these were qualities that Nadine admired.

But these were qualities that Nadine admired.

With a vast Atlantic Ocean between them,

With a vast Atlantic Ocean between them,

was started by online,

and Skyping, as was popular in those days,

and Skyping, as was popular in those days,

and text and phone calls and emails.

and text and phone calls and emails.

During the online conversations,

Almahri was very supportive of Nadine's studies,

Almahri was very supportive of Nadine's studies,

very charming, keen to impress,

very charming, keen to impress,

and portrayed himself as the perfect gentleman.

and portrayed himself as the perfect gentleman.

During 2013, Almahri made a number of visits to Cardiff to see Nadine,

During 2013, Almahri made a number of visits to Cardiff to see Nadine,

During 2013, Almahri made a number of visits to Cardiff to see Nadine,

and during each of those visits, he would shower her with gifts,

and during each of those visits, he would shower her with gifts,

be the perfect gentleman,

discuss their plans for the future and how supportive he was gonna be.

discuss their plans for the future and how supportive he was gonna be.

He was keen to be supportive in relation to her studies

He was keen to be supportive in relation to her studies

and really extended the persona that he had portrayed online

and really extended the persona that he had portrayed online

and really extended the persona that he had portrayed online

in terms of perfect gentleman and wanting to be there for her.

in terms of perfect gentleman and wanting to be there for her.

Things were getting serious between them.

At the time when she first met him,

he seemed very bright, open, and fun to be with.

he seemed very bright, open, and fun to be with.

he seemed very bright, open, and fun to be with.

Nadine arrived at the hotel shortly after 9pm,

Nadine arrived at the hotel shortly after 9pm,

where she met Almahri.

where she met Almahri.

Together, they went up to Room 203,

Together, they went up to Room 203,

and CCTV from the hotel shows them both entering the hotel room.

and CCTV from the hotel shows them both entering the hotel room.

and CCTV from the hotel shows them both entering the hotel room.

That same CCTV shows that, shortly after midnight,

That same CCTV shows that, shortly after midnight,

That same CCTV shows that, shortly after midnight,

Almahri leaves that hotel room alone.

Almahri leaves that hotel room alone.

Nadine's nowhere to be seen.

Almahri was seen attending the Grosvenor Casino nearby.

Almahri was seen attending the Grosvenor Casino nearby.

It was there he asked if he could take out £10,000 in cash.

It was there he asked if he could take out £10,000 in cash.

Took a number of shots of tequila and asked a member staff

Took a number of shots of tequila and asked a member staff

Took a number of shots of tequila and asked a member staff

if he could fill a water bottle up with tequila.

That was refused.

Throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning,

Throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning,

Almahri was extremely intoxicated,

Almahri was extremely intoxicated,

having taken numerous amounts of tequila shots,

having taken numerous amounts of tequila shots,

and he was visibly drunk

when he was seen by members of staff at the hotel

and members of the public.

Yeah, he was just in a complete state.

Yeah, he was just in a complete state.

From there, he returned to the hotel.

From there, he returned to the hotel.

Spoke to a member of staff, who opened up the bar for him,

Spoke to a member of staff, who opened up the bar for him,

and he took two bottles of lager to his room.

and he took two bottles of lager to his room.

A matter of hours later, he left the hotel room for the last time,

A matter of hours later, he left the hotel room for the last time,

got into Nadine's car, and made his way to the M4.

got into Nadine's car, and made his way to the M4.

After initially driving in the wrong direction towards West Wales,

After initially driving in the wrong direction towards West Wales,

he then turned round and then drove towards Heathrow

he then turned round and then drove towards Heathrow

before getting on a plane out of the country.

before getting on a plane out of the country.

In a chilling turn,

hotel staff receive a sinister phone call from Almahri.

hotel staff receive a sinister phone call from Almahri.

Sammy Almahri actually phones the Future Inns hotel, and he says,

Sammy Almahri actually phones the Future Inns hotel, and he says,

Sammy Almahri actually phones the Future Inns hotel, and he says,

"I'm concerned about my friend in Room 203. Could you check on her?"

"I'm concerned about my friend in Room 203. Could you check on her?"

But obviously, by this stage,

the horrible truth is known that Nadine Aburas is no longer alive.

the horrible truth is known that Nadine Aburas is no longer alive.

PHONE RINGS

The conversation that he has becomes very, very unusual.

The conversation that he has becomes very, very unusual.

It goes from one police officer,

it's then passed on to a negotiator.

it's then passed on to a negotiator.

They can hear, very chillingly, another woman in the background,

They can hear, very chillingly, another woman in the background,

and he then says, "I'm going to do to her what I did to Nadine."

and he then says, "I'm going to do to her what I did to Nadine."

They form the opinion that perhaps he's under the influence of alcohol

They form the opinion that perhaps he's under the influence of alcohol

or something else, because he doesn't seem at all stable.

or something else, because he doesn't seem at all stable.

He seems completely irrational -

going from being concerned about Nadine

going from being concerned about Nadine

to being quite terrifying in some of the things that he's saying.

to being quite terrifying in some of the things that he's saying.

Having identified Almahri as a suspect,

Having identified Almahri as a suspect,

the investigating team's attention turned to locating him.

the investigating team's attention turned to locating him.

the investigating team's attention turned to locating him.

He was still at large.

This has gone from just a small investigation contained to Wales

This has gone from just a small investigation contained to Wales

but had now gone international.

but had now gone international.

With the victim identified as Nadine Aburas,

With the victim identified as Nadine Aburas,

police break the news of her death to her family.

police break the news of her death to her family.

Specialist officers would've been sent round to speak to her family,

Specialist officers would've been sent round to speak to her family,

and that would be a devastating message to give

and that would be a devastating message to give

and an even more devastating message to receive for the family.

and an even more devastating message to receive for the family.

One can only imagine how distraught they must have been.

One can only imagine how distraught they must have been.

During the investigation,

police try to learn more about Nadine

police try to learn more about Nadine

and her turbulent relationship with Sammy Almahri

and her turbulent relationship with Sammy Almahri

and the events that led up to the murder.

and the events that led up to the murder.

She met somebody that she seemed, initially,

She met somebody that she seemed, initially,

in terms of messages, to click with.

There was a spark between the two of them,

and there was lots of communication,

and it was said that he became besotted, basically, with Nadine.

and it was said that he became besotted, basically, with Nadine.

He would shower her with gifts.

He would shower her with gifts.

He gave her money for things like a laptop and a car.

He gave her money for things like a laptop and a car.

So he was very, very... outwardly, very, very generous towards her,

So he was very, very... outwardly, very, very generous towards her,

and that was the kind of genesis of their relationship.

and that was the kind of genesis of their relationship.

But this was to hide a darker side which emerged only later,

But this was to hide a darker side which emerged only later,

but at the time, things seemed to be carrying on very well.

but at the time, things seemed to be carrying on very well.

It was only in 2014 that Nadine's friends could see a marked shift,

It was only in 2014 that Nadine's friends could see a marked shift,

It was only in 2014 that Nadine's friends could see a marked shift,

It was only in 2014 that Nadine's friends could see a marked shift,

and Nadine was clearly now a very worried woman.

and Nadine was clearly now a very worried woman.

She went to New York herself in 2014.

She went to New York herself in 2014.

Sammy Almahri really was a fantasist,

or certainly was a liar.

He projected this image that he was a very, very wealthy tycoon

He projected this image that he was a very, very wealthy tycoon

He projected this image that he was a very, very wealthy tycoon

of some description.

When she went to his apartment in Brooklyn,

When she went to his apartment in Brooklyn,

while he did have some kind of business,

while he did have some kind of business,

it in no way matched exactly what he had claimed,

it in no way matched exactly what he had claimed,

the wealth that he claimed to have,

the lifestyle that he claimed to have.

Despite indicating to Nadine

that he was a successful, rich business person,

that he was a successful, rich business person,

actually, Almahri drove a limousine for a living,

actually, Almahri drove a limousine for a living,

probably came into contact with wealthy people.

probably came into contact with wealthy people.

It's possible that Almahri saw the lifestyles

of the people that he was working for and was jealous.

of the people that he was working for and was jealous.

He might have desired to live like that,

and he created his own account

and his own world of living like that, which he sold to Nadine.

and his own world of living like that, which he sold to Nadine.

He wasn't this kind of lavish, big-living man.

He wasn't this kind of lavish, big-living man.

But, you know, there's no suggestion

that Nadine was kind of in it for the money.

She seemed to like him for who he was.

They'd met, they'd struck up a relationship,

They'd met, they'd struck up a relationship,

but he clearly hadn't been honest with her from the start.

but he clearly hadn't been honest with her from the start.

And this was where things really, really turned sour.

And this was where things really, really turned sour.

She shared images with her family

that showed her with a black eye, a split lip.

that showed her with a black eye, a split lip.

He'd clearly been violent towards her.

When she returned,

having said to Sammy Almahri that their relationship was over,

having said to Sammy Almahri that their relationship was over,

she also made a report to police

saying that she had been raped by Sammy Almahri,

saying that she had been raped by Sammy Almahri,

and that he had attempted to strangle her.

However, that wasn't proceeded with.

This was a very traumatic experience for her,

what she'd been through and her relationship with Almahri.

what she'd been through and her relationship with Almahri.

Nadine would try to distance herself from Almahri,

Nadine would try to distance herself from Almahri,

but he had a disturbing plan to try to keep her close.

but he had a disturbing plan to try to keep her close.

She confided to some friends that not only had she been raped,

She confided to some friends that not only had she been raped,

She confided to some friends that not only had she been raped,

but that she was now desperately, desperately worried

but that she was now desperately, desperately worried

about a potential blackmail plot that Almahri was cooking up for her.

about a potential blackmail plot that Almahri was cooking up for her.

about a potential blackmail plot that Almahri was cooking up for her.

Almahri had threatened, if she was ever to leave him,

Almahri had threatened, if she was ever to leave him,

then he would send topless pictures of her to her family.

then he would send topless pictures of her to her family.

then he would send topless pictures of her to her family.

He had taken pictures of Nadine while she was in the shower

He had taken pictures of Nadine while she was in the shower

when she was visiting him, and he very, very cruelly said,

when she was visiting him, and he very, very cruelly said,

"I'm going to post these to Facebook.

"I'm gonna shame you in front of your family

"by sharing these images."

Now, this was a serious, serious issue for a devout Muslim family

Now, this was a serious, serious issue for a devout Muslim family

Now, this was a serious, serious issue for a devout Muslim family

that Nadine was at the centre of.

that Nadine was at the centre of.

There's no question

that this would be utter humiliation which she would never lived out.

that this would be utter humiliation which she would never lived out.

that this would be utter humiliation which she would never lived out.

It would be the end of her life in the family.

It was that serious.

I'm convinced that utmost in her mind

I'm convinced that utmost in her mind

was that she had to get the pictures back.

was that she had to get the pictures back.

The least people who knew about this, the better.

The least people who knew about this, the better.

This was an issue that Nadine had to get to the bottom of

This was an issue that Nadine had to get to the bottom of

and end herself.

and end herself.

And Nadine wanted to finish completely with Almahri

And Nadine wanted to finish completely with Almahri

and get him out of her life,

but she could only do it on her terms,

but she could only do it on her terms,

and her terms had to be to see those pictures destroyed

and her terms had to be to see those pictures destroyed

or back in her own possession.

There was no question of just walking out.

If she was going to walk out, she had to walk out with those pictures.

If she was going to walk out, she had to walk out with those pictures.

This was a secret that she really kept to herself.

This was a secret that she really kept to herself.

She had done absolutely nothing wrong.

There was nothing she could have done

to have prevented that happening.

But it exercises sheer terror over her,

and it enables Sammy Almahri

to remain in this position of complete control over her.

to remain in this position of complete control over her.

Whether he is 5,000 miles away or on her doorstep,

Whether he is 5,000 miles away or on her doorstep,

he's effectively in her pocket all the time

because he's contacting her.

Even when she's blocking him

on messaging services like Viber and WhatsApp,

on messaging services like Viber and WhatsApp,

he's still able to see what she's doing,

and he's able to call her - it's incessant.

and he's able to call her - it's incessant.

Despite the threat of blackmail Sammy gave to Nadine

Despite the threat of blackmail Sammy gave to Nadine

if she'd leave him,

she began dating another man.

But Almahri soon finds out.

But Almahri soon finds out.

Almahri had given a gift of a mobile phone to Nadine

Almahri had given a gift of a mobile phone to Nadine

Almahri had given a gift of a mobile phone to Nadine

back in 2012, 2013.

back in 2012, 2013.

Now, everybody likes a new phone.

"Thank you very much. Very nice indeed."

But Almahri had used the phone, interrogated the phone,

But Almahri had used the phone, interrogated the phone,

But Almahri had used the phone, interrogated the phone,

so knew the details and the information on it

so knew the details and the information on it

so knew the details and the information on it

so that he was then able to create an app on his own phone

so that he was then able to create an app on his own phone

which had access to texts that were going into Nadine's phone.

which had access to texts that were going into Nadine's phone.

which had access to texts that were going into Nadine's phone.

So there he was in Brooklyn,

So there he was in Brooklyn,

able to keep a minute-by-minute monitoring of her life in Cardiff.

able to keep a minute-by-minute monitoring of her life in Cardiff.

able to keep a minute-by-minute monitoring of her life in Cardiff.

He can switch on the camera, he can switch on the microphone,

He can switch on the camera, he can switch on the microphone,

he can listen to all the telephone calls.

Spyware is very, very easy to put on someone's device,

Spyware is very, very easy to put on someone's device,

and if it's a app, he can hide that in another app,

and if it's a app, he can hide that in another app,

so you wouldn't even see it as an icon.

so you wouldn't even see it as an icon.

He was able to spy on Nadine across the Atlantic,

He was able to spy on Nadine across the Atlantic,

He was able to spy on Nadine across the Atlantic,

3,000 miles away.

Today, that sounds almost like a James Bond thing.

Today, that sounds almost like a James Bond thing.

Ten years ago, in 2012, 2013,

Ten years ago, in 2012, 2013,

this is an astonishing feat of IT espionage.

this is an astonishing feat of IT espionage.

But it meant that Almahri knew everything, virtually,

But it meant that Almahri knew everything, virtually,

But it meant that Almahri knew everything, virtually,

that Nadine was up to, and he very quickly cottoned on

that Nadine was up to, and he very quickly cottoned on

that there was a new man in her life.

She became aware of this

because he was saying things in the messages

because he was saying things in the messages

that can only have been by listening in.

that can only have been by listening in.

So he's put that on,

but that's just that element of control.

At that stage, he must have...

he thought he was losing her or had lost her.

he thought he was losing her or had lost her.

So how do you get her back?

Well, in fact, you're not going to, but he didn't want that.

Well, in fact, you're not going to, but he didn't want that.

He didn't want her out of his life,

so therefore, he needed to control it.

Now, when he put them on, though, that was before the New York trip

Now, when he put them on, though, that was before the New York trip

because he bought the gifts, so he's now planned this.

because he bought the gifts, so he's now planned this.

So the control goes all the way back.

So the control goes all the way back.

It doesn't just start when she was in New York,

It doesn't just start when she was in New York,

the control began when he actually had his three visits to Cardiff.

the control began when he actually had his three visits to Cardiff.

the control began when he actually had his three visits to Cardiff.

Almahri was determined to stop this,

Almahri was determined to stop this,

to stop another man getting hold

of what he considered to be his possession.

NARRATOR: Cardiff, 2014.

28-year-old Nadine Aburas is being stalked and threatened

28-year-old Nadine Aburas is being stalked and threatened

by her ex-partner Sammy Almahri,

by her ex-partner Sammy Almahri,

who has discovered she's dating another man,

who has discovered she's dating another man,

through spyware he installed on her phone.

Fearing for her safety, Nadine confides in her family

Fearing for her safety, Nadine confides in her family

about Almahri's threatening messages.

But she doesn't know what to do, because he's now in contact

But she doesn't know what to do, because he's now in contact

about the pictures, about what I'm gonna do.

about the pictures, about what I'm gonna do.

She realises there's spyware involved on the phone

She realises there's spyware involved on the phone

cos he knows everything about her.

So, you've got all this. She doesn't know what to do.

So, you've got all this. She doesn't know what to do.

"How do I end this? How do I stop this?"

"How do I end this? How do I stop this?"

He flew to the UK shortly after Christmas.

He flew to the UK shortly after Christmas.

Travelled from Heathrow up to Cardiff

Travelled from Heathrow up to Cardiff

and ensconced himself in the Fortune Inn, you know,

and ensconced himself in the Fortune Inn, you know,

which is a hotel in Cardiff Bay,

very close to Nadine's own flat.

very close to Nadine's own flat.

By this time, Nadine's brother knew that Almahri, A, was in Wales,

By this time, Nadine's brother knew that Almahri, A, was in Wales,

By this time, Nadine's brother knew that Almahri, A, was in Wales,

and, B, he was a wrong' un,

and he had to get him out of his sister's life.

and he had to get him out of his sister's life.

and he had to get him out of his sister's life.

So he actually picked him up for a chat

and then drove him to Cardiff Central station and said,

and then drove him to Cardiff Central station and said,

"Right, get on a train back to London, flight out of here,

"Right, get on a train back to London, flight out of here,

"go to the States, and keep away from my sister."

"go to the States, and keep away from my sister."

Almahri had other ideas.

Almahri had other ideas.

He did completely the opposite.

As he admits, he left the brother at the station,

As he admits, he left the brother at the station,

As he admits, he left the brother at the station,

turned away from the platform, bought a bottle gin,

turned away from the platform, bought a bottle gin,

and headed straight back to the hotel.

and headed straight back to the hotel.

Almahri arranged to meet Nadine for dinner,

Almahri arranged to meet Nadine for dinner,

no doubt under the cloak of have peace talks.

no doubt under the cloak of have peace talks.

Nadine had to take him up on that offer

if she had any hope of getting the pictures back.

if she had any hope of getting the pictures back.

Nadine had dinner with Almahri before the murder occurred.

Nadine had dinner with Almahri before the murder occurred.

She probably felt safe amongst other people and not at risk,

She probably felt safe amongst other people and not at risk,

but unfortunately, she went back to the hotel with him,

but unfortunately, she went back to the hotel with him,

which provided an opportunity for him to be alone with her.

which provided an opportunity for him to be alone with her.

And on that evening, on New Year's Eve,

And on that evening, on New Year's Eve,

the CCTV caught her at 11:15 that night.

the CCTV caught her at 11:15 that night.

the CCTV caught her at 11:15 that night.

And these are the last known sightings of Nadine

And these are the last known sightings of Nadine

before she was found strangled.

How a strangled woman would commit suicide, perhaps only Almahri knows.

How a strangled woman would commit suicide, perhaps only Almahri knows.

How a strangled woman would commit suicide, perhaps only Almahri knows.

Following Nadine's murder,

Cardiff police launch an international manhunt

Cardiff police launch an international manhunt

to track down their prime suspect, Sammy Almahri.

to track down their prime suspect, Sammy Almahri.

to track down their prime suspect, Sammy Almahri.

Sammy Almahri is on the run for several weeks.

Sammy Almahri is on the run for several weeks.

And during that period,

there are several very sickening and distressing things

there are several very sickening and distressing things

that form a part of that.

A particular disturbing feature of the manhunt phase

A particular disturbing feature of the manhunt phase

A particular disturbing feature of the manhunt phase

is that whilst he was on the run,

is that whilst he was on the run,

Almahri was actually contacting Nadine's family members,

Almahri was actually contacting Nadine's family members,

Almahri was actually contacting Nadine's family members,

taunting them.

He messages her mother.

He messages her mother.

He tells her that he loved Nadine

He tells her that he loved Nadine

and that she should let it go and things like that.

and that she should let it go and things like that.

He even begins posting on her Facebook account

He even begins posting on her Facebook account

because he's taken her laptop and phone with her.

because he's taken her laptop and phone with her.

So this is, understandably, hugely distressing for everyone involved.

So this is, understandably, hugely distressing for everyone involved.

And that forms part of the background

to why police are so keen to detain him.

to why police are so keen to detain him.

And then he even extended that to the investigating officers

And then he even extended that to the investigating officers

and was known to be laughing at them down the phone

and was known to be laughing at them down the phone

at their attempts to trace him.

at their attempts to trace him.

He was giving false locations as to where he was in the world

He was giving false locations as to where he was in the world

He was giving false locations as to where he was in the world

and clearly enjoying the opportunity

and clearly enjoying the opportunity

to just taunt the investigation team.

to just taunt the investigation team.

Told them that he had gone to Thailand,

Told them that he had gone to Thailand,

to Havana in Cuba,

and also claimed he'd been in Puerto Rico.

and also claimed he'd been in Puerto Rico.

He also told police he was with girls in various hotel rooms,

He also told police he was with girls in various hotel rooms,

He also told police he was with girls in various hotel rooms,

and he told them that he was going to do to them

what he had done to Nadine.

Now, even though we watch these programmes about how you...

Now, even though we watch these programmes about how you...

no-one can disappear, you can disappear for an element of time,

no-one can disappear, you can disappear for an element of time,

and you can go to a country where there's no extradition order.

and you can go to a country where there's no extradition order.

So if you are thinking like that,

you can go, and you can get somewhere.

So, Cuba would be a classic.

So, Cuba would be a classic.

But he has stayed, shall we say, contactable in that sense.

But he has stayed, shall we say, contactable in that sense.

Very odd behaviour.

Very odd behaviour.

The evidence in this case indicates

that Almahri had some interesting personality features

that Almahri had some interesting personality features

which may have led to his ongoing contact

which may have led to his ongoing contact

and reportedly goading the police as they were searching for him.

and reportedly goading the police as they were searching for him.

Not only that, his behaviour within the offence

Not only that, his behaviour within the offence

suggests some strong personality features

suggests some strong personality features

that might have driven his behaviour.

So, his control of Nadine, his eventual brutal murder of Nadine

So, his control of Nadine, his eventual brutal murder of Nadine

and trying to cover that up.

and trying to cover that up.

The evidence after the offence

The evidence after the offence

and what he did and his travels and so on,

it seems that he was seeking, perhaps, excitement

it seems that he was seeking, perhaps, excitement

and had some unmet needs.

And he was callous enough to goad the police,

and that affects her family and the wider victims in this case,

and that affects her family and the wider victims in this case,

suggesting that he had some anti-social personality traits.

suggesting that he had some anti-social personality traits.

It seems to feel like he thought he was above the law.

It seems to feel like he thought he was above the law.

So, did he think that he wasn't gonna get caught?

Did he think that the law doesn't apply to him?

Did he think that the law doesn't apply to him?

He was risking his freedom by continuing this contact

He was risking his freedom by continuing this contact

and not simply hiding and fleeing from the police.

and not simply hiding and fleeing from the police.

So, what was that driven by?

It could have been excitement,

but it could have been that he was so preoccupied with Nadine

but it could have been that he was so preoccupied with Nadine

that that ongoing thought about her and his ongoing involvement

that that ongoing thought about her and his ongoing involvement

fulfilled some sort of need for that preoccupation.

fulfilled some sort of need for that preoccupation.

Investigators work on tracking Almahri's movements

Investigators work on tracking Almahri's movements

after fleeing the UK.

after fleeing the UK.

He's not a billionaire,

that he can rely on all these funds that he's stashed around the world.

that he can rely on all these funds that he's stashed around the world.

So wherever he's going, he's on the run, and he's gonna be doing things.

So wherever he's going, he's on the run, and he's gonna be doing things.

And if you've got no money, you're gonna show out,

And if you've got no money, you're gonna show out,

you're probably gonna have to sort of beg, borrow or steal.

you're probably gonna have to sort of beg, borrow or steal.

So he's not in a good position. So you'd...

So he's not in a good position. So you'd...

Again, you look at the individual,

and he hasn't really got a hope in hell

and he hasn't really got a hope in hell

because, yes, it's all well and good wanting to go on the run,

because, yes, it's all well and good wanting to go on the run,

but that costs a lot of money.

For the police, it wasn't difficult.

For the police, it wasn't difficult.

They're able to track with the ANPR

They're able to track with the ANPR

and find out exactly who this person was.

You've got a witness in the hotel, you've got that American accent.

You've got a witness in the hotel, you've got that American accent.

They know who they're looking for at this stage.

They know who they're looking for at this stage.

What they quickly established was that, after the murder,

What they quickly established was that, after the murder,

What they quickly established was that, after the murder,

he had taken Nadine's car and driven it to Heathrow Airport.

he had taken Nadine's car and driven it to Heathrow Airport.

he had taken Nadine's car and driven it to Heathrow Airport.

Where he is able, very quickly, to get on a flight to Doha, in Qatar,

Where he is able, very quickly, to get on a flight to Doha, in Qatar,

and he can then connect from there onto Tanzania,

and he can then connect from there onto Tanzania,

where he knows that he's got family

and where, presumably, he thinks he's gonna be able to be concealed

and where, presumably, he thinks he's gonna be able to be concealed

and potentially get away with this horrific crime.

and potentially get away with this horrific crime.

Members of the police force in South Wales

travelled out to Tanzania to search for Almahri.

travelled out to Tanzania to search for Almahri.

That is pretty much unheard of.

That is pretty much unheard of.

Strange thing to happen, really,

for officers to be sent out to Tanzania from South Wales.

for officers to be sent out to Tanzania from South Wales.

Welsh police have intel that Almahri is hiding somewhere in Tanzania,

Welsh police have intel that Almahri is hiding somewhere in Tanzania,

Welsh police have intel that Almahri is hiding somewhere in Tanzania,

a densely populated region of East Africa.

a densely populated region of East Africa.

But he manages to evade capture.

But he manages to evade capture.

Officers from South Wales return home

without being able to find Almahri.

without being able to find Almahri.

The day after detectives returned to Wales empty-handed,

The day after detectives returned to Wales empty-handed,

they get a surprising phone call from Tanzanian police.

they get a surprising phone call from Tanzanian police.

Almahri was found by members of the law force in Tanzania.

Almahri was found by members of the law force in Tanzania.

Sammy Almahri is located in a place called Iringa, in Tanzania,

Sammy Almahri is located in a place called Iringa, in Tanzania,

where he did have some family

and where he'd been managing to hide out.

and where he'd been managing to hide out.

But then it's a couple more months

before he is actually able to be extradited back.

before he is actually able to be extradited back.

You know, extradition isn't a simple, quick process,

You know, extradition isn't a simple, quick process,

and it's not as fast as South Wales Police being able to say,

and it's not as fast as South Wales Police being able to say,

"Great, we've got our man, put him on the next flight back."

"Great, we've got our man, put him on the next flight back."

There's lots of paperwork and whatever to go around it,

There's lots of paperwork and whatever to go around it,

so it's around March before they actually are able to fly him back

so it's around March before they actually are able to fly him back

so it's around March before they actually are able to fly him back

into the UK.

And it's very, very interesting that,

And it's very, very interesting that,

hearing from police officers at that time,

they say when he was being brought back,

that he was... effusive, confident, chatty, almost.

that he was... effusive, confident, chatty, almost.

that he was... effusive, confident, chatty, almost.

Some kind of denial of what he was about to go through

Some kind of denial of what he was about to go through

or some kind of arrogant belief

that he was somehow going to be bought out,

bailed out in some way or another.

So, following Almahri' arrest,

he was obviously interviewed by police

he was obviously interviewed by police

and then charged with Nadine's murder.

and then charged with Nadine's murder.

And it's likely then that the reality and the seriousness

And it's likely then that the reality and the seriousness

of his own situation - facing life in prison, potentially - hit him.

of his own situation - facing life in prison, potentially - hit him.

of his own situation - facing life in prison, potentially - hit him.

And it's only when he actually is booked into custody,

And it's only when he actually is booked into custody,

he becomes a different person

and realises that the game is kind of up for him.

and realises that the game is kind of up for him.

Prosecutors prepare to take Sammy Almahri to trial

Prosecutors prepare to take Sammy Almahri to trial

for the murder of 28-year-old student Nadine Aburas.

for the murder of 28-year-old student Nadine Aburas.

Will justice be served?

NARRATOR: January 12th, 2016.

NARRATOR: January 12th, 2016.

44-year-old Sammy Almahri faces trial

44-year-old Sammy Almahri faces trial

for the murder of 28-year-old Nadine Aburas,

for the murder of 28-year-old Nadine Aburas,

whose body was discovered in the Future Inn hotel in Cardiff

whose body was discovered in the Future Inn hotel in Cardiff

on New Year's Eve in 2014.

on New Year's Eve in 2014.

Almahri strangled his ex-girlfriend

Almahri strangled his ex-girlfriend

before staging her death to look like a suicide.

before staging her death to look like a suicide.

After many months and some examinations by psychiatrists,

After many months and some examinations by psychiatrists,

Almahri arrived at Cardiff Crown Court in 2016

Almahri arrived at Cardiff Crown Court in 2016

for his trial and pleaded not guilty to murder,

for his trial and pleaded not guilty to murder,

but guilty to manslaughter

but guilty to manslaughter

on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

And he was going to produce some psychiatric evidence

And he was going to produce some psychiatric evidence

that said he was not responsible for his actions.

that said he was not responsible for his actions.

that said he was not responsible for his actions.

He claimed that he'd been hearing voices

He claimed that he'd been hearing voices

and that God had told him to kill Nadine.

and that God had told him to kill Nadine.

He had also made up lies to Nadine's family and to the police,

He had also made up lies to Nadine's family and to the police,

He had also made up lies to Nadine's family and to the police,

claiming that Nadine had wanted him to help her kill herself.

claiming that Nadine had wanted him to help her kill herself.

The first day of Almahri's trial at Cardiff Crown Court,

The first day of Almahri's trial at Cardiff Crown Court,

obviously, it was a packed courtroom.

There's a lot of members of the press, like myself, there

There's a lot of members of the press, like myself, there

to report on the case.

Obviously, there was the barristers, the judge, members of the jury.

Obviously, there was the barristers, the judge, members of the jury.

Obviously, there was the barristers, the judge, members of the jury.

Almahri came into the courtroom, was in the dock behind glass.

Almahri came into the courtroom, was in the dock behind glass.

He sort of struck me as very sort of far away,

He sort of struck me as very sort of far away,

like there wasn't sort of anything behind his eyes,

like there wasn't sort of anything behind his eyes,

just thought he wasn't taking anything in

just thought he wasn't taking anything in

about what was being said in court.

He just seemed to be wearing ordinary clothes, had shaved hair,

He just seemed to be wearing ordinary clothes, had shaved hair,

and, yeah, just didn't seem present.

and, yeah, just didn't seem present.

Having previously portrayed himself as this successful businessman

Having previously portrayed himself as this successful businessman

and a financially high-end person, he seemed anything but.

and a financially high-end person, he seemed anything but.

and a financially high-end person, he seemed anything but.

He just seemed like an ordinary person,

and... someone who was, in fact, not very impressive-looking at all.

and... someone who was, in fact, not very impressive-looking at all.

and... someone who was, in fact, not very impressive-looking at all.

Nadine Aburas, her mother was there, as well as the siblings,

Nadine Aburas, her mother was there, as well as the siblings,

and they pretty much took up a lot of the public gallery.

and they pretty much took up a lot of the public gallery.

and they pretty much took up a lot of the public gallery.

And, yeah, you could tell hearing the horrific details

And, yeah, you could tell hearing the horrific details

about their daughter from the opening of the case

must have been awful for them.

must have been awful for them.

In the opening of the case,

prosecutors said that Almahri had murdered Nadine,

prosecutors said that Almahri had murdered Nadine,

prosecutors said that Almahri had murdered Nadine,

that he had killed her in the Future Inn hotel

that he had killed her in the Future Inn hotel

after years' long relationship taking place online,

after years' long relationship taking place online,

and then they met up in person.

and then they met up in person.

They referred to where he had threatened to kill her

They referred to where he had threatened to kill her

and threatened physical violence against her, and obviously,

and threatened physical violence against her, and obviously,

had threatened to blackmail her with the sexual images of her.

had threatened to blackmail her with the sexual images of her.

In those texts, he came across as a very jealous and controlling person.

In those texts, he came across as a very jealous and controlling person.

When she had been in contact with other people on her phone,

When she had been in contact with other people on her phone,

he seemed to know about it.

He seemed to have access to her phone through some kind of device.

He seemed to have access to her phone through some kind of device.

And again, he was very, very physically threatening towards her

And again, he was very, very physically threatening towards her

And again, he was very, very physically threatening towards her

and basically acted like she was his possession,

and it was up to him what she could and couldn't do.

and it was up to him what she could and couldn't do.

and it was up to him what she could and couldn't do.

They claimed that Almahri was a man so obsessed,

They claimed that Almahri was a man so obsessed,

They claimed that Almahri was a man so obsessed,

so besotted with Nadine

so besotted with Nadine

that if he couldn't have her, then no-one else would.

that if he couldn't have her, then no-one else would.

That he was a man who was intent to come to Britain,

That he was a man who was intent to come to Britain,

and that he was... in the end, he was prepared to kill.

and that he was... in the end, he was prepared to kill.

The forged suicide note is examined by the prosecution.

The forged suicide note is examined by the prosecution.

You've then got the cruelly written suicide note -

You've then got the cruelly written suicide note -

very much in air quotes -

that's evidently been authored by Sammy Almahri.

that's evidently been authored by Sammy Almahri.

But that, again, has these key lacuna in it -

But that, again, has these key lacuna in it -

the dates, the grammar - that aren't correct

the dates, the grammar - that aren't correct

and that aren't consistent with how Nadine would've written.

and that aren't consistent with how Nadine would've written.

You've then got the fact that he has fled,

You've then got the fact that he has fled,

which clearly shows some kind of bad faith.

which clearly shows some kind of bad faith.

Had he stuck around, called the police,

Had he stuck around, called the police,

and tried to get some kind of help for Nadine,

and tried to get some kind of help for Nadine,

then perhaps he might have had some chance

then perhaps he might have had some chance

of running a defence saying

that it was something that had happened in the moment,

that it was something that had happened in the moment,

or a diminished responsibility,

but that all falls away.

So they've got that.

And then they've also had the time and the resources

And then they've also had the time and the resources

to use lots and lots of data analysis,

to use lots and lots of data analysis,

because they've obviously been able to track down his phone,

because they've obviously been able to track down his phone,

which had been left in Cardiff.

which had been left in Cardiff.

And they can see this kind of constant stream of messages

And they can see this kind of constant stream of messages

And they can see this kind of constant stream of messages

from him to her,

and Nadine's family would've found all of them utterly terrifying.

and Nadine's family would've found all of them utterly terrifying.

But there was one that said,

"I will never stop. I will harm you."

"I will never stop. I will harm you."

This is somebody that had engaged in a prolonged course of action

This is somebody that had engaged in a prolonged course of action

and somebody that simply wasn't going to be deterred.

and somebody that simply wasn't going to be deterred.

However strong the case against him from Nadine and from her family was

However strong the case against him from Nadine and from her family was

However strong the case against him from Nadine and from her family was

to say, "This has to stop. This is over,"

to say, "This has to stop. This is over,"

he was somebody that was not going to take no for an answer.

he was somebody that was not going to take no for an answer.

And the kind of...

The data on his phone was able to really back that up.

The data on his phone was able to really back that up.

It was able to show that he had this kind of

It was able to show that he had this kind of

minute-by-minute obsession, infatuation with Nadine Aburas,

minute-by-minute obsession, infatuation with Nadine Aburas,

minute-by-minute obsession, infatuation with Nadine Aburas,

with controlling her,

that was the lead-up to this truly awful crime.

that was the lead-up to this truly awful crime.

The defence was that this was not a premeditated crime,

The defence was that this was not a premeditated crime,

The defence was that this was not a premeditated crime,

that it was a result of a drunken... outburst.

that it was a result of a drunken... outburst.

The psychiatric evidence was that, in the past,

The psychiatric evidence was that, in the past,

Almahri had a history of mental illness,

Almahri had a history of mental illness,

particularly enwrapped in alcoholism.

particularly enwrapped in alcoholism.

In 2009, he had attempted to throw himself off the Brooklyn Bridge,

In 2009, he had attempted to throw himself off the Brooklyn Bridge,

and he'd been placed on a alcohol programme.

and he'd been placed on a alcohol programme.

He was also shown to have a very low tolerance of frustration.

He was also shown to have a very low tolerance of frustration.

He was also shown to have a very low tolerance of frustration.

Now, we all get very frustrated at times,

Now, we all get very frustrated at times,

but that should not lead us, as it did Almahri,

but that should not lead us, as it did Almahri,

to aggression, violence, and a capacity to kill.

to aggression, violence, and a capacity to kill.

to aggression, violence, and a capacity to kill.

He was said to have a disassociated personality disorder,

He was said to have a disassociated personality disorder,

He was said to have a disassociated personality disorder,

which is at the lower end, in terms of the criminal law,

which is at the lower end, in terms of the criminal law,

of mental illness.

And so it goes nowhere near reaching the threshold

And so it goes nowhere near reaching the threshold

of being a man who is not responsible for his actions.

of being a man who is not responsible for his actions.

This this then becomes a thing that he then heard the voice of God,

This this then becomes a thing that he then heard the voice of God,

that the voice of God was telling him

that Nadine wanted to die, or that she should die.

that Nadine wanted to die, or that she should die.

She clearly didn't want to die.

She had a loving family behind her that she loved very much,

She had a loving family behind her that she loved very much,

and they loved her very much.

She had lots to live for in her life.

She absolutely didn't want to die,

but Sammy Almahri tried to maintain this fiction

but Sammy Almahri tried to maintain this fiction

he had somehow helped her end her own life

he had somehow helped her end her own life

because that was what she wanted.

The trial was due to last four weeks,

The trial was due to last four weeks,

so we were expecting four weeks of hearing evidence

so we were expecting four weeks of hearing evidence

about this horrific case.

about this horrific case.

But upon going to the court the second day,

But upon going to the court the second day,

Almahri pleaded guilty to murder.

Almahri pleaded guilty to murder.

Once he saw the scale of the evidence against him

Once he saw the scale of the evidence against him

and the strength of the evidence against him,

and the strength of the evidence against him,

he probably, you know, as a kind of calculating man,

he probably, you know, as a kind of calculating man,

took a calculating way out.

That... actually, "All I'm going to do here

That... actually, "All I'm going to do here

"is be on the end of a guilty verdict,

"and I'm gonna spend longer behind bars."

So, in the end, he took the way out of saying, "Hold up, I'm guilty."

So, in the end, he took the way out of saying, "Hold up, I'm guilty."

So, in the end, he took the way out of saying, "Hold up, I'm guilty."

Whether he thought the case against him was too strong,

Whether he thought the case against him was too strong,

or whether he just wanted to rub sort of Nadine's family's nose in...

or whether he just wanted to rub sort of Nadine's family's nose in...

or whether he just wanted to rub sort of Nadine's family's nose in...

in the dirt by having the horrific facts against her

in the dirt by having the horrific facts against her

played out in court, we'll never truly know.

played out in court, we'll never truly know.

But it was almost as if he wanted the sort of stage

But it was almost as if he wanted the sort of stage

and wanted to have that moment in court

and wanted to have that moment in court

where his horrific crimes was told to the nation.

where his horrific crimes was told to the nation.

where his horrific crimes was told to the nation.

Sammy Almahri is a cruel, vindictive, calculating individual

Sammy Almahri is a cruel, vindictive, calculating individual

Sammy Almahri is a cruel, vindictive, calculating individual

that is purely out for himself

that is purely out for himself

and that only ever looked out for himself

and that only ever looked out for himself

throughout this whole... whole awful, illegal episode.

throughout this whole... whole awful, illegal episode.

Having pleaded guilty to murder,

Having pleaded guilty to murder,

Almahri was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment

Almahri was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment

Almahri was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment

with a recommendation that he must serve a minimum of 17 years

with a recommendation that he must serve a minimum of 17 years

with a recommendation that he must serve a minimum of 17 years

before he can even be considered for parole.

Perhaps he can be considered lucky to receive such a sentence.

Perhaps he can be considered lucky to receive such a sentence.

In the judge's view,

she found there was no direct evidence that this was premeditated.

she found there was no direct evidence that this was premeditated.

she found there was no direct evidence that this was premeditated.

She said this was a result of drink and envy,

She said this was a result of drink and envy,

She said this was a result of drink and envy,

and this was not something he had planned.

and this was not something he had planned.

Suspicion of planning is not actual evidence of planning.

Suspicion of planning is not actual evidence of planning.

Nadine Aburas' family, from things that they said afterwards,

Nadine Aburas' family, from things that they said afterwards,

would've happily seen the full trial through

would've happily seen the full trial through

because they wanted it very much public -

because they wanted it very much public -

what Sammy Almahri had done, what he had put her through.

what Sammy Almahri had done, what he had put her through.

Because the scale of what he had put her through

Because the scale of what he had put her through

was not confined to what happened in Room 203 in that hotel,

was not confined to what happened in Room 203 in that hotel,

it was something much more insidious,

it was something much more insidious,

much more long-lasting, and ultimately, entirely terrifying,

much more long-lasting, and ultimately, entirely terrifying,

not some kind of momentary crime.

not some kind of momentary crime.

A minimum recommendation of 17 years

A minimum recommendation of 17 years

is on the low side for this type of offence.

is on the low side for this type of offence.

No doubt, it will have been influenced by Almahri's guilty plea,

No doubt, it will have been influenced by Almahri's guilty plea,

No doubt, it will have been influenced by Almahri's guilty plea,

albeit a late guilty plea.

The fact is, that there's no sentence

The fact is, that there's no sentence

that would bring justice to the family.

that would bring justice to the family.

They live their life sentence without their daughter and sister.

They live their life sentence without their daughter and sister.

They live their life sentence without their daughter and sister.

And so it's a long time, but it'll never be long enough.

And so it's a long time, but it'll never be long enough.

I think there is some consolation

in seeing a murderer convicted, being put behind bars.

in seeing a murderer convicted, being put behind bars.

in seeing a murderer convicted, being put behind bars.

There is very little consolation in repairing the wounds,

There is very little consolation in repairing the wounds,

but what can be done was done in this case.

but what can be done was done in this case.

but what can be done was done in this case.

Personally speaking,

this was a case that sort of stuck with me.

this was a case that sort of stuck with me.

Obviously, I have covered a number of murders across my sort of career,

Obviously, I have covered a number of murders across my sort of career,

but I think the so cold and callous nature

but I think the so cold and callous nature

that Almahri carried out this murder,

the fact it was done in a hotel,

the fact it was done in a hotel,

the fact he'd gone on the run and sort of fled the country again,

the fact he'd gone on the run and sort of fled the country again,

that was something I've never come across before

that was something I've never come across before

in the cases I've covered.

Nadine's murder is a sobering reminder

Nadine's murder is a sobering reminder

of the dangers of modern dating through websites and social media.

of the dangers of modern dating through websites and social media.

of the dangers of modern dating through websites and social media.

Meeting somebody in the online world is not dangerous, per se.

Meeting somebody in the online world is not dangerous, per se.

Meeting somebody in the online world is not dangerous, per se.

However, once you then go into the real world,

However, once you then go into the real world,

then, suddenly, there is that different element.

then, suddenly, there is that different element.

Nadine, you could say, was unfortunate,

Nadine, you could say, was unfortunate,

but, of course, she is a victim of an online predator

but, of course, she is a victim of an online predator

but, of course, she is a victim of an online predator

who was using dating apps and direct messaging

who was using dating apps and direct messaging

who was using dating apps and direct messaging

who was using dating apps and direct messaging

because he was - and did - was looking for a victim

because he was - and did - was looking for a victim

because he was - and did - was looking for a victim

to be able to control, groom and exploit.

to be able to control, groom and exploit.

The thing the internet does,

it gives you the connectivity to the world,

it gives you the connectivity to the world,

it gives you the connectivity

to individuals that you would not normally have.

to individuals that you would not normally have.

The internet has facilitated his own persona as a predator,

The internet has facilitated his own persona as a predator,

The internet has facilitated his own persona as a predator,

and that's the danger the internet does pose.

and that's the danger the internet does pose.

And unfortunately, in this case, that was to do

And unfortunately, in this case, that was to do

with physical and sexual exploitation, resulting in a murder.

with physical and sexual exploitation, resulting in a murder.

This case highlights the well-known risks associated with online dating.

This case highlights the well-known risks associated with online dating.

This case highlights the well-known risks associated with online dating.

For many, it's a perfectly enjoyable and acceptable experience,

For many, it's a perfectly enjoyable and acceptable experience,

For many, it's a perfectly enjoyable and acceptable experience,

but I would urge that anybody who's going to meet someone in person

but I would urge that anybody who's going to meet someone in person

but I would urge that anybody who's going to meet someone in person

that they've only met online before takes sensible safety precautions.

that they've only met online before takes sensible safety precautions.

that they've only met online before takes sensible safety precautions.

Perhaps make sure friends and family know where they're going,

Perhaps make sure friends and family know where they're going,

have a kind of agreed time of contact,

have a kind of agreed time of contact,

and just take care about their own safety.

and just take care about their own safety.

And if anyone has a family member that's in that kind of situation,

And if anyone has a family member that's in that kind of situation,

then they should seek help.

I remember Nadine's mother, Andrea, speaking very movingly

I remember Nadine's mother, Andrea, speaking very movingly

I remember Nadine's mother, Andrea, speaking very movingly

about this gaping hole in their lives.

about this gaping hole in their lives.

Nadine could never be replaced,

Nadine could never be replaced,

that she had been the glue that kept the family together.

that she had been the glue that kept the family together.

Her brothers described her as a ray of sunshine,

Her brothers described her as a ray of sunshine,

which I thought was a fitting tribute

which I thought was a fitting tribute

to this bright, talented, independent-minded girl.

to this bright, talented, independent-minded girl.

We often look back in cases like this and think,

We often look back in cases like this and think,

"Could something have stopped what happened? What was missed?"

"Could something have stopped what happened? What was missed?"

Now, importantly, Nadine did report

Now, importantly, Nadine did report

an alleged rape and assault to the police.

And it seems that that prosecution didn't go through,

And it seems that that prosecution didn't go through,

maybe because of the international element, but that's not clear.

maybe because of the international element, but that's not clear.

So there were points at which it was clear

So there were points at which it was clear

that there were some risks posed by Almahri,

that there were some risks posed by Almahri,

but ultimately, in these cases, it's easy to look back and say,

but ultimately, in these cases, it's easy to look back and say,

"Why didn't something happen here? Look what we missed."

"Why didn't something happen here? Look what we missed."

And importantly, we need to focus on identifying that in the future.

And importantly, we need to focus on identifying that in the future.

What we need to remember is Nadine.

What we need to remember is Nadine.

Nadine was a young woman like any other young woman.

Nadine was a young woman like any other young woman.

She was interested in finding a partner,

and that ultimately put her at risk.

and that ultimately put her at risk.

This could happen to anybody,

and remembering Nadine will help us remember that.

and remembering Nadine will help us remember that.