Grieving parents Mohammed and Mehfooz Khan spoke of their relief as five men today began life sentences for the murders of their son and daughter in an arson attack.

Anum Khan, nine, died in the fire at her home in Magdalen Road, Oxford, on August 26 last year. Her brother Majid, 15, died two days later from severe burns.

Yesterday, their parents Mohammed, 60, and Mehfooz, 45, said they were pleased with the guilty verdicts but that nothing would compensate for the loss of their son and daughter.

Family supporters shouted "Yes!" from the Birmingham Crown Court public gallery as the fifth defendant, Haroon Sharif, 21, of Morrell Avenue, Oxford, was found guilty of the two murders by a jury majority of ten to two.

Four other men were convicted last week. Following the final verdict, Mr and Mrs Khan and their daughters gathered outside the court and held up a banner in memory of Anum and Majid.

The couple thanked the police, the judge and jury after the five men were jailed for life following the eight-week trial.

But there was uncertainty over the future of a sixth defendant, Riaz Munshi, 26, after the jury failed to reach a verdict in her case. She wept as she was led from the dock.

Thames Valley Police said they would be requesting a re-trial and Munshi will remain in custody until a decision is reached later this month.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.