Laura Wilson

Laura Wilson was a 17-year-old young mother from Rotherham whose life was tragically taken on 12 October 2010 in what police described as an honour killing.

She was bright and headstrong teenager who had recently given birth to her baby daughter Alesha, she is remembered by her family and friends as a loving young mum who simply wanted to be open and honest about her relationships and her child.

Her murder shocked the local community and led to important national conversations about honour-based violence in Britain.

She had been trying to live openly after revealing her relationships with two men to both families. Ashtiaq Asghar, of Pakistani descent, lured her to a meeting on the promise of rekindling their relationship, then attacked her on the canal side near Meadowhall Shopping Centre.

He stabbed her more than 40 times in the head and body before forcing her head underwater in the South Yorkshire Navigation Canal, where she drowned.

Asghar admitted murder at Sheffield Crown Court and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 and a half years. His actions were described in court as treating Laura as a “sexual target” rather than a human being, driven by family shame.

Rest in peace Laura. You will not be forgotten.