Kilburn mother jailed for sheltering Sabrina Moss’ killer after appeal judges rule suspended sentence was ‘too lenient’

A Kilburn mother who was given a suspended jail term for sheltering a murderer has been sent to prison for 18 months after the appeal judges ruled her original sentence was too lenient.

Fiona Cullum, 26, of Rowley Way, let Hassan Hussain stay in her home after he killed 24-year-old innocent nursery teacher Sabrina Moss as she celebrated her birthday in August 2013.

In April, she was convicted of two counts of perverting the course of justice and given a suspended sentence at the Old Bailey.

But today, after a reference by the solicitor general, Robert Buckland QC, judges at the Court of Appeal ruled the term ‘unduly lenient’ and jailed her.

Lawyers acting for Cullum, who wept almost throughout the hearing, argued that the devastating impact her incarceration would have on her two young children, aged nine months and five, justified the ‘merciful’ suspended sentence.

However, Lord Justice Treacy said the ‘extremely serious’ nature of what Cullum had done meant she had to go to prison immediately.

The court heard Miss Moss, a mother-of-one, was shout outside Woody Grill, in Kilburn High Road, as she sheltered from the rain.

Cullum twice allowed Hussain to stay in her flat during the crucial early part of the murder investigation.

When she was questioned a few weeks later, she provided police with a false witness statement.

Bobbie Cheema QC, for the solicitor general, argued before Lord Justice Treacy, Mr Justice Teare and Mr Justice Goss that the sentence was not tough enough.

Giving judgment, Lord Justice Treacy said the children would undoubtedly be affected.

He added: “We consider that the public interest in dealing with crime of this gravity, together with the need for deterrence, significantly outweighs the detriment to the children so that an immediate sentence should have been passed.”