The daughter of convicted killer Zoora Shah today dubbed the foreman of the jury who convicted her as "a hero'' for changing his mind.

Naseem Shah, 24, in her first newspaper interview, said: "It's big of him to come out and say this after so long. He is a bit of a hero."

She was speaking after it emerged that the jury foreman was now troubled by the verdict he read out in December 1993, after learning how Mrs Shah had been abused by drug dealer Mohammed Azam in the years before she killed him. Her claims that she had been driven to kill while in a traumatised state have never been put before a jury.

"It's very significant, for a person who's actually sat and listened to everything that's been said in the courtroom and afterwards in the appeal hearing, to then come and speak out," continued Mrs Shah's daughter, who is now taking a leading role in a campaign.

"My mother had heard the news over the prison grapevine, but she could not understand what had happened as she does not speak English. She had just gathered there was some good news.

"When I heard, my eyes welled up with tears. It was unbelievable. It was a total shock."

Naseem was left to take charge of her younger sister and brother (now aged 18 and 20) when her mother was jailed six years ago.

She has made heartbreaking weekly or fortnightly visits to see her mother ever since, and says she has never adjusted to life behind bars. She is now in Durham jail where fellow prisoners include notorious serial killer Rose West.

"It isn't the place for her. She is in there with hardened criminals, people like Rose West. My mother hasn't lived a street life. She hasn't got a criminal background. My mother is regretting what she did, but she was driven to it. She was desperate.

"Throughout her life, she's had no happiness or joy. She has suffered long enough."

Mrs Shah, 46, formerly of Legrams Lane, knits, makes things for her family and spends a lot of time praying to while away her time. I don't like to ask too much of her daily routine. I lie in bed imagining what she is doing," Naseem added.

"We are hoping for a lot more backing from Bradford people. We will be asking them to sign petitions, send letters to the Home Secretary and make donations to the campaign. Younger Asians in particular have been very positive.''

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