A New York businessman will have to serve at least 17 years in jail after found guilty of killing a British student in a Cardiff hotel room. The duo met on an online dating website.

The 28 year old Nadine Aburas was strangled by Sammy Almahri, 44 on New Year’s Eve 2014. He hung a “do not disturb” sign on the door of the hotel room after killing her. Then he flee to the Middle East.

He was discovered in Tanzania and arrested on an Interpol arrest warrant. Initially he denied murder citing she she killed herself.

Jailing Almahri for life, Mrs Justice Nicola Davies said that, “You showed both jealously and possessiveness of Nadine. I am satisfied that your killing of Nadine was prompted by jealousy and anger.”

“Her death has left a huge void in the lives of all the family that can never be replaced. Your actions will impact upon Nadine’s family for the rest of their lives, their loss is immeasurable.”

Aburas’s mother, Andrea Aburas, 59, said that, “She was such a beautiful girl, in both looks and personality. She was a ray of sunshine in everyone’s lives.”

“She was an inspiration to us all. She made you feel like you wanted to be a better person. Although she was strong and could hold her own, she also had a delicate heart.”

“I will never forget when police came to tell us Nadine had been taken away from us. My life ended. We have all lived our lives ever since in a complete haze. Almahri knew what he was doing. By taking Nadine, Almahri has taken the glue that made this family. We allowed him to come into our family and instead he took from us my child,” she added.

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Nandini