[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“Ashtiaq Ashgar, 21, who is now serving a life sentence for the brutal murder.”

“the judge sentenced 18-year-old Ashtiaq to 17-and-a-half years imprisonment for Laura’s murder.”

So,,,, which is it? Life? Or 17 1/2 years? If he’ll be out when he’s 35,,,, that’s hardly a “life” sentence!

[Myrddin]

The old "draw and quarter" would be a more just punishment for this honor killer. Feed the remains to the hogs.

[wideawake]

I believe the current system is that there is no such thing as a life sentence without parole.

So I think this means he is sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, and the earliest date he can be paroled is after 17.5 years.

[the scotsman]

In the UK, a judge will give life with a minimum term one has to serve before applying for parole (which may not be given). In this case, he’ll have to do 17.5 yrs before that application is heard.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

As others have said, 17.5 years is the minimum tariff. He may or may be granted parole after that time, depending on what the parole board thinks about his rehabilitation. He will however be in the penal system for the rest of his life, which means that if he ever breaks his parole conditions, he is subject to recall to prison to continue his sentence.

Having said that, I’d rather they could have hanged him, there have been many instances of paroled lifers going on to commit further violent crimes, including murder.