Two “drunken louts” who kicked a taxi driver to death after he asked them to stop eating food in his car have been jailed for life.
Connor McPartland, 20, and, Martin Treacy, 18, repeatedly punched and kicked Ali Asghar, 39, in a “ferocious, brutal and totally unforgiving attack” on 30 October.
The pair were angered after he took them to the wrong address, even though they had entered it themselves into the Uber app, a court was told.
Manchester Crown Court heard the pair had ordered the Uber to meet some people at the Ko-Ko Lounge nightclub in Rochdale. But McPartland entered the address for Coco’s Grillhouse and Desserts, also in Rochdale, into the app.
Mr Asghar asked them to stop eating cheeseburgers and chips in the car and, when he explained they had entered the wrong address to Uber, they attacked him.
Prosecutor Galais Gozem said the taxi arrived at the address and paused before stopping near a Shell petrol station shortly after 4am.
The court heard Mr Asghar opened the rear passenger door to let the passengers out when a “ferocious argument” broke out.
The pair launched into the attack which culminated in Mr Asghar being pushed over, cracking his head and fracturing his skull. They kicked him in the head as he lay defenceless on the floor, the court heard.
Another taxi driver, Mohammad Khalid, saw Mr Asghar being confronted and attempted to reason with the two men. He then retreated to his taxi fearing he would also be attacked and called the police.
Mr Asghar died two weeks later in hospital after suffering head injuries in the assault. McPartland and Treacy, both of Oldham, denied murder but were found guilty after a nine-day trial.
They were jailed for 14 years, six months and 13 years, six months respectively on Monday
Sentencing the pair, Judge Alan Conrad QC commended Mr Khalid’s bravery and branded the killers “a pair of drunken and entitled louts”.
He said they had their own lives, but he said this was nothing compared to the damage he had caused Mr Asghar’s family. He added: “This was a savage and sustained attack. You both lied about your involvement and sought to minimise what you did.”
In a statement released by police, Mr Asghar’s family said he was a loving and devoted son, brother and friend who will be forever missed.
The statement read: “On behalf of his family we would like to convey our sincerest gratitude to the police officers, barrister, the judge, the jury and all else involved who have helped our Ali to receive justice for what happened to him.
“A huge heart felt thankyou to all.”
Speaking after sentencing, senior investigating officer Phil Reade welcomed the sentence, saying: “The senseless actions of Treacy and McPartland that morning were utterly despicable and led to a family losing a much loved son and brother.
“These two men are clearly violent individuals and I am relieved that they are now off our streets and have time to think about their actions and the hurt and sorrow they have caused.
“The judge today highly commended the taxi driver for his actions in attempting to save Ali’s life and I’d also like to thank him for his bravery.”
SWNS
