Detectives investigating Shahena Uddin's murder said it was one of “most harrowing cases of domestic abuse involving coercive control, physical and mental abuse” they had ever seen.

Following a 10-week trial, six members of the same family were sentenced to a total of 56-and-a-half years in custody today following the death of Watford teenager Shahena Uddin in October 2014.

During the course of the trial the court also heard how Shahena suffered severe mental and physical abuse over a prolonged period of time at the hands of her family.

Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Firstly, in all my years as a detective, this case has been possibly one of the most harrowing cases of domestic abuse I have dealt with.

"How any person can inflict such violence and mental abuse on someone is beyond comprehension – and even more so when those inflicting that abuse are members of a family who were supposed to have a duty of care.

“Shahena Uddin suffered unimaginable abuse both physically and mentally which was tantamount to torture.

"What she was subjected to – being denied water, being made to drink toilet water and being forced to eat her own faeces – are just a few of the extremely disturbing ‘punishments’ her family inflicted on her, isolating her and making her life agony.

“The letters read out in court paint a picture of a young woman who was trapped in a life of unbearable misery.

“To think that a young woman in Watford in the 21st century was subjected to such cruelty in a place where she was supposed to feel safe and loved is incomprehensible an there are no words to fully portray the inhumane cruelty she was subjected to. Shahena’s death must not be in vain."

He continued: “The sentence passed today on these individuals – the people who were supposed to love and care for Shahena - reflects the law’s view on such actions. I would firstly like to thank the significant witnesses in this case who have shown immense determination and courage throughout this trial.

“I would also like to thank the police officers and staff who have worked tirelessly to get this case to court, and to the Crown Prosecution Service, counsel and court staff who have all shown such tenacity throughout this case.

“As a society, and in honour of Shahena’s memory, the best tribute we can all give her is to prevent this from happening again. We all have a duty of care to each other and prevent people from such suffering.

"If you are being subjected to domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, please speak out – there is help available.”

Chief Inspector Dave Wheatley from Watford Community Safety Partnership, added that the case was not about culture or religion but domestic abuse at its worst.

He said: "We have all been horrified by some of the evidence that has emerged during this trial and as a community we are all shocked by the fact that this ever happened and that it occurred in our town behind closed doors in 2014.

“If there is anything that must be learned from this extremely tragic case, it is this – we all have a duty of care to protect each other; if you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, please speak out.

"You can contact the police on 101 or the Sunflower centre and you will be believed and you will be supported. Help is out there – please make that call."

If you are suffering from domestic abuse, please contact Herts Sunflower on 08 088 088 088 or victim: www.hertssunflower.org or call police on 101. If you witness a crime in progress or life is in danger – call 999.