Police searching for the body of murder victim Rania Alayed (pictured) have discovered human remains in Thirsk.

In June 2014, Rania’s husband Ahmed Al-Khatib, from Gorton, was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years behind bars.

Rania’s body was never recovered and multiple searches have taken place over the past decade.

Yesterday, after receiving new information, police officers located buried human remains by the A19 in Thirsk, where they had been operating since Monday.

While no official identification has taken place, it is strongly suspected that the remains are that of Rania.

Her family have been informed of the latest development and are being supported by specially trained officers.

A scene will remain in place for the coming days as further work is carried out by specialist officers.

Rania’s son, Yazan, speaking on behalf of their family, said: “The discovery of my mother’s remains more than a decade onwards has come as a surreal surprise to me and my family.

“At last, being able to provide a final resting place is all we have wanted for the last 11 years, to have the ability to lay down a few flowers for my mother is more than I can ask for from this world.”

Detective chief inspector Neil Higginson, from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: “More than a decade after her murder, we now strongly believe we have located Rania’s body and are finally able to provide closure to her family, who we know have endured so much pain and grief over the years.

“Rania’s family have always been kept informed following our searches over the last few years, and we are providing them updates as we get them following this most recent development.

“Her murder was utterly horrific and not knowing where her body is has inflicted further pain to all those who knew her. I hope that we are now able to finally reunite her with her family, where she belongs, so that they can give her a proper resting place.”

A man has been jailed for 13 years, with an extended licence of seven years, after being found guilty of raping a woman on a night out in Manchester.

Fabrice Kapena (32) of Bridgelea Road, Manchester, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, for offences of rape, robbery, theft, and strangulation.

The court heard how a woman had been enjoying a night out at a bar in Deansgate in the early hours of August 7, 2022, when she was approached by Kapena, who told her he could get her and her group into another venue, as he knew the people on the door.

After getting in his car, Kapena promised to loop back and pick her friends up, but instead drove out of the city centre and became threatening.

Once on a quiet road, Kapena grabbed the victim around the neck and strangled her, before raping her. The woman fought back, managing to hit him and scratch his face.

At around 3am the victim was able to ring the doorbell of a nearby care home, where a care assistant immediately called 999 and supported her.

Following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police, Kapena was identified and a warrant executed at his home, in which he was arrested.

Kapena was additionally sentenced for a robbery and theft in the months preceding the sexual offence. In February that year, a woman was taken to Kapena’s address, before becoming uncomfortable and leaving the property. She later discovered that her bag no longer contained her phone or bank card.

In July, Kapena began speaking to a woman in Manchester city centre, before driving her to the Withington area. He then became increasingly threatening, before taking the woman’s phone and punching her to the ground. The woman was left in the area with no way of getting home, before eventually flagging a bus down.

Detective inspector Andy Worthington said: “Kapena’s disgusting crimes have now resulted in a lengthy prison sentence, and I am glad that he is now behind bars for his offences.

“Fabrice Kapena is a dangerous individual who subjected a woman to a vicious attack and I want to commend her bravery during this process, which I know has been incredibly difficult.

“I would urge any victims of sexual offences to get in touch with us. You will be listened to, believed, and we will do our best to get you the justice you deserve.”