Two men guilty of Slough temple murder
Convicted at Reading Crown Court
Two men have been found guilty of murdering a man from Slough, who was stabbed outside a Hindu temple last August.
24-year-old Mohammed Rafaqit Kayani was found injured in the temple car park in Keel Drive and died later in hospital.
22-year-old Hassan Al-Kubanji from Pimlico in London, and drug dealer 21-year-old Riaz Miah of no fixed address, were convicted by a jury at Reading Crown Court on 9th March 2023.
As the verdict was passed there was disruption in the court which led to two arrests.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Dejan Avramovic, of the Major Crime Unit, said: “Today, the jury has concluded Hassan Al-Kubanji and Riaz Miah tragically murdered Rafaqit Kayani in Keel Drive, Slough, on 30 August last year.
“Rafaqit sustained a fatal stab wound to his chest and tragically died in hospital shortly afterwards.
“I hope that the conviction will in some way help Rafaqit’s family and our thoughts still very much remain with them.
“This conviction provides a clear message that we will not tolerate knife crime in Slough or anywhere else in the Thames Valley.”
Local policing area commander for Slough, Superintendent Lee Barnham, said: “First and foremost, my condolences go out to Rafaqit Kayani's loved ones at this extremely difficult time.
“This conviction shows our determination to bring those involved in knife crime to justice. We will not tolerate the carrying of weapons in Slough nor the use of them to cause harm.
“Police, partners and the public need to work as one to tackle knife crime and violence across Slough, which I understand there are serious concerns about.
“While we have always taken a robust approach to the possession of weapons in Slough, we are dedicating even more officers to seeking out those who think it is acceptable to be in possession of them, particularly knives.
“The force will not tolerate the possession of or the use of weapons and our message is clear: you will be stopped, arrested, charged and prosecuted if you do so".