Life sentences for Muawaz Khalid, 20, and Nabeel Shafi, 18,
TWO men have been jailed for life for battering a shopkeeper to death with wine bottles from his shelves during a botched robbery.
Gurmail Singh, 63, was attacked for just a few pounds, some sweets, alcohol and cigarettes during a bungled raid at his shop in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in February.
Muawaz Khalid, 20, was told he must spend at least 21 years in prison, while Nabeel Shafi, 18, was given a 20-year minimum term by Mr Justice Henriques at Bradford Crown Court.
Gang member Rehman Afzal, 18, was sentenced to five years and four months for his part in the robbery and Umare Aslam, 20, received a six-and-a-half-year sentence for robbery.
Shoaib Khan, 18, meanwhile, received an eight-month sentence for assisting an offender, but will be released because of time already served on remand.
Mr Justice Henriques said he accepted the murder was not premeditated, but the attack was carried out on a vulnerable man carrying out a public service.
He said: “This was a most violent and sickening attack by at least two of you on a lone shopkeeper late at night.
“It is to be regretted that no defendant at any time during the eight-week trial showed the slightest remorse.”
There were dramatic scenes in court as the two murderers were sentenced.
Shafi shouted: “That’s not right. I’m innocent. I never touched anyone. You’ve got the wrong guy”, while his supporters joined in the shouting before they left the court.
Speaking after the verdict Superintendent Dave Pervin who was the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said: “The people sentenced will have a long time to reflect on what they have done in robbing and murdering Mr Singh.”
“I would like to thank the brave people who tried to prevent those responsible from getting away from the scene of the crime.”
“I would like to thank the brave people who tried to prevent those responsible from getting away from the scene of the crime.”
