Driver jailed for life for murder of man in Accrington town centre
He was found guilty after a five-day trial
A driver who ran over a man in Accrington town centre, and dragged him along the road, has been jailed for life for murder.
23-year-old Muhammad Haarith, of Exchange Street, Accrington, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 19th October.
He was found guilty of murdering 44-year-old Matthew Weller by a jury at the same court last Friday (16th October), at the end of a five-day trial. He had denied murder.
Judge Robert Altham, the Recorder of Preston, ordered that Haarith serve a minimum of 16 and a half years, minus 177 days spent on remand, before he is eligible to apply for parole.
What happened
Lancashire Police said Matthew had exchanged words with one of Haarith's friends in a VW Passat on the evening of 22nd April.
Police said he was then seen sitting on the nearside front wing of the car while it was stationary.
The Passat then set off with him still on it, causing him to fall and go under the car, where the front wheels went over him.
Police said he was dragged along the road under the car as it turned into Birch Street, and the rear wheels went over him before he became free.
Haarith drove away from the scene, in the Blackburn Road and Birch Street area, police said.
The Passat was later found abandoned in Barden Street.
Police said Haarith went to get a takeaway after leaving the car.
He handed himself in at Greenbank Police Station in Blackburn at around 10.30pm the following day.
Matthew suffered severe multiple injuries and died in hospital a short time later.
Sentencing
Passing sentence, Judge Altham said Matthew had suffered a "terrifying and agonising death" because of Haarith's driving.
The judge also praised the police investigation.
He said: "The manner in which the case was investigated and put before me, has to be commended."
Family statement
A statement from Matthew's family said: "We are pleased that the jury saw through Mr Haarith's calculated behaviour and found him guilty of Matthew's murder."
The statement continued: "The decisions Mr Haarith took that night led to Matthew losing his life in a violent and undignified way."
It added: "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."
The family also said: "No sentence will ever feel long enough or bring Matthew back, but we are content that justice has been served for him."
Police response
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Harry, of Lancashire Police's Force Major Incident Team, said: "Muhammad Haarith's callous and deliberate actions led to Matthew Weller losing his life in this horrifying manner."
He added: "He showed a complete disregard to Matthew's life, driving the car over him and continuing to drive for some distance with Matthew trapped underneath."
DCI Harry also said: "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."
He said: "I hope that the jury's verdict and the sentence imposed by the judge can deliver a sense of justice to Matthew's family."
DCI Harry added: "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."
He also said: "I'd also like to thank prosecution counsel Tim Evans for his work and presentation of the case at the trial."