Farah family 'face life sentence'

Farah Noor Adams was power walking when attacked

The family of Farah Noor Adams has condemned the "leniency" of the sentence imposed on her killer.

Her brother Mohammed Shahid, 39, said he was "utterly devastated" that 19-year-old Thomas Waddell will be able to apply for parole in 16 years.

He said the killer was a "vile monster" and Lord Macphail's decision had imposed a life sentence on the family.

Waddell admitted raping and killing Farah, 34, on the River Kelvin walkway in Glasgow last October.

At the High Court in Edinburgh he was given a life sentence and told he must serve a minimum of 16 years before he can apply for parole.

Farah's family were in court to see her killer sentenced.

'Mockery of justice'

Afterwards, Mr Shahid said: "At this moment in time we are all utterly devastated and at a loss for words at the leniency of the sentence imposed.

"This vile monster tortured and murdered our sister, a young mother who had just dropped off her daughter at school and kissed her goodbye for the last time.

"How could the judge pass such a menial sentence for this crime given all the evidence and the undeniable facts of the case?

"This sentence has made a mockery of justice and shows other perpetrators of murders that the law is on their side and not on the side of the victim and their family.

"The judge has indeed imposed a life sentence on us."

The family also claimed BT's system of handling 999 calls had failed Farah.

She made a number of calls to the emergency services from her mobile.

Mr Shahid added: "To BT I would like to say that you failed my sister in her hour of need.

"I would ask them to review their procedures and update their systems so that this tragedy can be avoided in the future."

Last month BT said the five 999 calls had been handled in accordance with normal procedures, but added that it felt these procedures should now be reviewed.