A JUDGE has lashed a killer who boasted about how cool he was moments after stabbing a dad to death.

Mohammad Bilal Bhatti left Mohammed Shafiq bleeding and then bragged: “Aren’t I a cool f*****”.

Jailing Bhatti for 18 years, Judge Richard Henriques QC said: "Your boast is the most shocking remark and one of the most deplorable ever recorded in a criminal court.

"It demonstrates you enjoy violence and you are proud of your conduct.”

Bhatti and three other men were jailed for a total of 30 years for their part in the death of Mr Shafiq, who was trying to protect his son.

The family of Mr Shafiq, who was killed in a Burnley Park, said that the sentences for the gang were “too lenient”.

And the judge branded their behaviour “deplorable” and slammed them for showing “no remorse” in what was ‘planned premeditated violence’.

Police said the four carried out a “violent attack on a defenceless man who they killed in front of his own son.”

Bhatti, 21, of Holcombe Drive was yesterday sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to Mr Shafiq's murder. He has been told he must serve at least 18 years.

Shazad Akhtar, 17, of Scott Park Road, was jailed for six years for the manslaughter of Mr Shafiq.

Omar Khalid, 19, of Fairfield Drive was sentenced to three years for violent disorder and Shadab Akhtar, 19, of Scott Park Road, was given three and a half years in prison, again for violent disorder.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Mr Shafiq had gone to Thompson Park in Burnley after receiving a call from his son who said he was being attacked.

Wife Shagufta Shafiq, 41, speaking after the case, said: “We were hoping for justice but we didn’t get it. This has destroyed all our lives.

“The sentence for Shadab should have been longer.

“Our lives have been shattered because of the violent actions of the four defendants.

“My husband will not come back and these people will be able to continue living their lives. Not only has our father died but six lives have been ruined.

Her son Umar said he and his family had been forced to rebuild their lives elsewhere in the country to avoid repercussions.

He said: “Shadab was the main culprit who hounded and abused me for six months. Had he not done this my father would have still be alive.

“I am not happy with the sentence of Shadab. He was the main culprit and should have got a longer sentence. There was no remorse.

“They will be able to go out and so the same thing again once they get out.

“They behaved like animals.”

Passing sentence, Judge Henriques told Bhatti: "You stabbed a man immediately after he had been struck with an iron bar fracturing his skull. He was especially vulnerable and quite without defence.

"You have demonstrated a thoroughly callous attitude devoid of remorse."

The court heard that Mr Shafiq's 18-year-old son Umar was involved in a long-running dispute with Shadab Akhtar, and that six months earlier he had gone to police and reported him over an alleged assault.

Mr Shafiq, a 50-year-old father of seven from York Street, Nelson, had learned about the fight in Thompson Park.

He had phoned police on a non-emergency number and left a message expressing his concerns. But the message was not picked up until "much later".

The court was told he had then set off to meet his son at the park to try to resolve the "ongoing problem" without resorting to a fight.

When Mr Shafiq got to the park, Akhtar's brother, Shazad, hit him over the head with an iron bar, wielding it with both hands like a baseball bat, the court heard.

It fractured Mr Shafiq's skull, then Bhatti stabbed the defenceless victim with the knife.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome from the Force Major Investigation Team said: "I am satisfied with the sentences handed out by the court today. They reflect the seriousness of the events that day that left an innocent man dead.

"I believe that these sentences send a clear message that such actions can never be justified in a civilised society. These teenagers carried out a violent attack on a defenceless man who they killed in front of his own son.

"The four men are all young which, in my mind, makes the outcome even more tragic. They must now spend every day reflecting on the consequences of their actions - actions that cost Mr Shafiq his life.

"I would like to pay tribute to Mr Shafiq's entire family for the courage they have shown and for their strength and support throughout the criminal justice process.

"I hope this now brings a sense of closure for the family and that they can be left to grieve in peace for their tragic loss."