He came to the UK on a student visa – five months later she’s dead

An alleged killer accused of murdering his girlfriend five months after he came to the UK appeared in court today (weds).

Hina Bashir’s body was found in a suitcase dumped in a ditch in Folkes Lane, Upminster, Essex, in the early hours of July 17 last year.

Her boyfriend Muhammad Arslan, 26, appearing at the Old Bailey via video-link from HMP Belmarsh, speaking to confirm his name with the help of an Urdu interpreter.

Ms Bashir was living in Ilford and working at Queen Mary University, after moving from Pakistan on a student visa to study business.

At the end of her shift on July 11 she travelled to Arslan’s home in Ilford with a friend and was never seen alive again, it is said.

On July 14, her father went to her home and called the police after she failed to turn up for work or answer the door of her home.

Three days later officers found her body in a remote area of Upminster.

Prosecutor Ben Holt earlier said: ‘They located the suitcase in a small ditch and a police dog gave an indication.

‘The bag was opened at 1am on 17 July and Ms Bashir’s decomposing body was found inside in a foetal position.’

Arslan had been arrested on July 15 and was formally charged with her murder following the discovery of her body.

He arrived in the UK from Pakistan four to five months before and had been in a relationship with Ms Bashir.

He was studying at the University of Essex at the time of his arrest.

Arslan, of Natal Road, Ilford, denies murder and was remanded in custody ahead of his trial on 15 June.