Snapchat video of killer in jail sent to murdered teenager's mother

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The mother of a murdered teenager was left devastated after being sent a Snapchat video of her son’s killer apparently “mocking” his death from behind bars.

Ali Zahawy was found guilty of murder in May last year and sentenced to life in jail alongside accomplice Rodney Mukasa, then 20.

Ms Hughes, a teacher, said today she was “outraged” to receive a clip of Zahawy, now 22, apparently gloating about the murder from his cell.

Andre Aderemi was hacked to death with a sword

In the video, Zahawy can be seen complaining about being “still banged up”, but adds: “It could be worse ... I could be dead.”

Ms Hughes said: “At first I was really angry by the content of it. It was like he was mocking my son.

“Then I got really emotional — why should I see your face and not my son? Then I felt annoyed.”

Ali Zahawy was found guilty of murder

She told the Standard that she wants to lobby the Government and prison service to tighten security procedures to prevent mobile phones being smuggled into jails.

She said: “I want to make a difference to victims’ families, and I want them to know that once the perpetrator’s there, there is no contact with the outside world.

Andre’s mother, Yemi Hughes said: "five lives have been ruined for nothing"

“I think that the prison service needs to improve, they need to carry out security checks and take them seriously.

“Changes need to be made with stricter conditions imposed on visitors as well as inmates.

“I also want to see better rehabilitation services so that prisoners can show genuine remorse for what they have done.”

Zahawy’s trial heard how Mr Aderemi was killed in revenge after trying to defend his best friend from her controlling boyfriend.

The Prison Service apologised to Ms Hughes for the “distress the video has caused”.

A spokesman added: “We are undertaking cell searches and disciplinary action against Zahawy.

“We are spending an extra £100 million on prison security, and anyone found with a mobile phone in prison faces longer behind bars.”

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