A murderer who deliberately drove over a vulnerable man before dragging him beneath his car has been jailed for life.
Muhammad Haarith, 23, of Exchange Street, Accrington, must serve a minimum of 16 years and five days in prison for murdering Matthew Weller.
Haarith had admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming he never intended to kill the 44-year-old or cause him serious harm.
However, he was convicted of murder following a trial at Preston Crown Court which concluded on Friday (October 16).
Sentencing him, Judge Robert Altham said Mr Weller suffered a “terrifying, agonising and wholly avoidable death”.
Mr Weller was often homeless and spent time in Accrington town centre, but the judge stressed this did not mean he was without a family who cared about him.
The court heard Haarith was driving around Accrington with four younger friends when Mr Weller moved into the path of his Volkswagen Passat.
Mr Weller pulled down his trousers and put his buttocks on the bonnet before Haarith stopped and then drove forward.
Judge Altham said he was sure Haarith deliberately turned his wheels towards Mr Weller before driving over him.
He said: “You became angry and deliberately drove at him, intending to cause him really serious injury.
LIVE UPDATES - Muhammad Haarith sentenced to 16 years for murder
“You drove the front wheel over him and continued with him trapped beneath your car.
“You knew he was there yet continued until he emerged fatally injured.”
Mr Weller was dragged along Birch Street before Haarith accelerated away, leaving him critically injured in the road.
Members of the public rushed to help him, but he died in the early hours of the following day after suffering multiple fractures, damage to internal organs and lacerations to both lungs.
The judge said Mr Weller had previously been treated as an object of “ridicule and bullying” by Haarith and his friends.
Weeks before the murder, Haarith went to watch another man assault Mr Weller after footage was shared through a Snapchat group.
All the reporting in this case:
- Day 1 live blog - Muhammad Haarith trial - live updates from day one in court
- Day 1 summary - Muhammad Haarith trial - man 'deliberately ran over' in town
- Day 2 live blog - Muhammad Haarith trial - prosecution evidence on day 2
- Day 2 summary - Muhammad Haarith trial - jury shown CCTV of collision
- Day 3 live blog - Muhammad Haarith trial - accused gives evidence in court
- Day 3 summary - Muhammad Haarith trial - accused admits anger towards man
- Day 4 live blog - Trial over alleged murder of Matthew Weller - day 4 updates
- Day 4 summary - Muhammad Haarith trial - 'anger exploded' before fatal collision
- Day 5 guilty verdict - Muhammad Haarith found GUILTY of murdering Matthew Weller
Haarith admitted repeatedly striking his fist into his other hand to encourage the attacker.
Judge Altham said there was no evidence Haarith had any genuine grievance with Mr Weller, but added: “I’m sure you held him in contempt.”
After the murder, Haarith destroyed his phone and put it down a drain, concealed his car in a cul-de-sac, and did not hand himself in until the following day.
The judge said he was sure the phone was destroyed because Haarith feared police would discover the previous bullying.
Victim personal statements described the devastating impact Mr Weller’s death has had on his family.
His mother, Lynne Godden, said he would sometimes stay with her, take her out in her wheelchair and make her cups of tea.
She said: “He was my son and I loved him. I never thought I’d outlive my son.
"I certainly never thought I’d lose him in this way.”
The wider family said it had been particularly difficult to hear evidence about the way Mr Weller had been bullied, but expressed sympathy for Haarith’s family.
Judge Altham ordered Haarith to serve at least 16 years and five days before he can be considered for release.
The judge also ordered the deprivation of Haarith’s Volkswagen Passat but declined to disqualify him from driving.
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