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The boyfriend of a schoolgirl allegedly murdered by her father for falling in love with him today told the Old Bailey how she tried to warn him with the last words they spoke together.
Speaking from behind a screen, Halil Unal said Mehmet Goren, the father of 15-year-old Tulay, had phoned him and invited him to the family's Woodford Green home. Mr Unal said he thought he was being tricked and replied: “I'm not coming... I don't trust you.”
When Tulay was put on the line he told her: “I'm sorry I'm not coming there. If you love me come out here.” Later Tulay rang his mobile and said: “Don't come over they are trying to lure you into a trap.”
Mr Unal told the court: “I said, OK, if they are trying to trap me they are probably trying to trap you too.' She did not reply.” From that day in January 1999 no one has heard or seen Tulay. Mehmet Goren and his brothers Ali and Cuma, are charged with murdering her and conspiring to kill Mr Unal.
Tulay is said to have been killed after falling in love with Mr Unal who was from a different Muslim sect of Turkish Kurds from her family. Mr Unal told the jury that he loved Tulay, who had told him she was 17, and wanted to marry her but her family had forbidden it.
He had been physically attacked by them — but Mehmet rang to apologise and invite him over. “He said: Come tonight after 7pm, sign a piece of paper that you are undertaking all responsibility for the girl and take her away',” Mr Unal told the jury.
The court heard that Tulay's family considered Mr Unal unsuitable. As a result Tulay was murdered and Mr Unal attacked with an axe.
Her father and uncles were arrested in 1999 but the charges were dropped until a cold case review was opened and Tulay's mother gave evidence against her husband.
Mehmet Goren, 49, of Woodford Green, and Ali Goren, 55, and Cuma Goren, 42, both of Walthamstow, deny all charges.
The case continues.
