Representative images (Source: Pixabay)
London: A 25-year-old Pakistani man has been found guilty of murdering an Indian restaurant manager in a stolen car as he cycled home in southeast England on Valentine’s Day this year.
36-year-old Vignesh Pattabhiraman was killed by Shazeb Khalid using a “stolen Range RoverAccording to a report in PTI, he was riding his bike back home from his workplace, ‘Vel’, an Indian restaurant in Reading, England.
The Indian man was pronounced dead Royal Berkshire Hospital A murder investigation was launched.
Khalid was arrested on February 19 and charged with murder the next day.
Khalid was found guilty of the murder of Pattabiraman at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday after a 28-day trial.
At an earlier hearing, Khalid pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter but was convicted of murder by a jury.
Soiheem Hussain, 27, and Mya Reilly, 20, were also arrested and charged in the case and appeared in court at the same trial.
Hussain was found guilty of assisting a crime, while Reilly was acquitted of the same charge.
Khalid will be sentenced on October 10.
Thames Valley Police, which is investigating the murder, told the court that a post-mortem examination confirmed that Pattabiraman died from head injuries sustained following the collision.
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwen (DCI), Thames Valley Police’s senior investigating officer in the case, said: “I am delighted that the jury has found Khalid guilty of murder.
“It is clear to the jury that Khalid intended to harm Vignesh that night. He used a stolen Range Rover as a weapon and knowingly injured Vignesh, he allowed him to suffer,” he said.
“The fact that Khalid and Hussain were in contact the night after Pattabiraman’s death suggests that Hussain was well aware of what had happened and was helping with the aftermath. Vignash’s death has left his family devastated and I hope this verdict will help them,” added Superintendent Brangwen.
Meanwhile, friends and family of Pattabiraman have launched an online charity campaign called “Just Giving” to help him pay for his return home and support his devastated wife Ramya following the “senseless tragedy”, which has so far raised more than £52,500.
“Vignash was a dedicated manager at Vel Restaurant who put his heart and soul into his work, earning recognition for his exceptionally warm personality, customer service and work ethic. His dream of advancing to a senior management position in the hospitality industry was within reach and Hyatt Regency London Mayfair presented him with an exciting opportunity,” the online tribute read.
“Besides his career endeavours, Pattabiraman cherished his time with his beloved wife Ramya and their shared aspirations for a bright future in the UK. This senseless tragedy has shattered their dreams and left a void that cannot be filled,” it added.
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