The family of a man who was murdered in Accrington have said “justice has been served” after his killer was ordered to serve more than 16 years in prison.
Muhammad Haarith, 23, of Exchange Street, Accrington, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and five days at Preston Crown Court for murdering 44-year-old Matthew Weller.
Haarith deliberately drove over Mr Weller in Accrington town centre before continuing with him trapped beneath his Volkswagen Passat.
Following the sentencing, Mr Weller’s family welcomed the jury’s decision to convict Haarith of murder.
They said: “We are pleased that the jury saw through Mr Haarith’s calculated behaviour and found him guilty of Matthew’s murder.
“The decisions Mr Haarith took that night led to Matthew losing his life in a violent and undignified way.
“Mr Haarith left Matthew in the road without a care or concern for him; taking steps to avoid the police whilst Matthew was fighting for his life.
LIVE UPDATES - LIVE updates as murderer Muhammad Haarith sentenced to 16 years and 5 days
“No sentence will ever feel long enough or bring Matthew back, but we are content that justice has been served for him.”
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Harry, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, described Haarith’s actions as “callous and deliberate”.
He said: “Muhammad Haarith’s callous and deliberate actions led to Matthew Weller losing his life in this horrifying manner.
“He showed a complete disregard for Matthew’s life, driving the car over him and continuing to drive for some distance with Matthew trapped underneath.
“Haarith left Matthew in the road with horrendous injuries, choosing to drive off and abandon his car, one which he had used as a deadly weapon.
“I hope that the jury’s verdict and the sentence imposed by the judge can deliver a sense of justice to Matthew’s family.
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
- Sentencing - Muhammad Haarith sentenced to life for murdering Matthew Weller
“I would like to thank the investigation team for their hard work, dedication and professionalism in establishing what happened that night and putting the case together.
“I’d also like to thank prosecution counsel Tim Evans for his work and presentation of the case at the trial.”
Haarith had admitted manslaughter but denied murder, but a jury rejected that account and convicted him of murder following a trial.
Sentencing Haarith, Judge Robert Altham said Mr Weller suffered a “terrifying, agonising and wholly avoidable death”.
Share