Murder sentencing after fatal Banbury attack
Janaed Saeed Akhtar will serve a life sentence following the assault
A man who brutally attacked and killed another man in Banbury has been jailed for life for murder.
Janaed Saeed Akhtar, aged 40, formerly of Cope Road, Banbury, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict on 16th July of one count of murder and one count of perverting the course of justice, following a three-week trial at Oxford Crown Court.
Akhtar has been handed a term of life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years.
He was also sentenced to five years and six months in prison for perverting the course of justice, which will run concurrently.
In the early hours of Wednesday 3rd January, Neil Comins, who was 39, was attacked by Akhtar with a baseball bat, sustaining extensive serious injuries.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Mr Comins died in hospital the following day (4th January).
Akhtar had attacked Mr Comins, hitting him in the head with a baseball bat and stabbing him to the right side of his neck, before calling 999 himself for emergency services.
Mr Comins underwent surgery for a head injury, but sadly, he passed away.
A post-mortem examination ascertained that Mr Comins had died as a result of a traumatic head injury.
After killing Mr Comins, Akhtar attempted to implicate two innocent people, who were co-residents at the property in which Akhtar lived.
One was implicated for the murder and another for an alleged assault on Mr Comins a few days’ earlier.
DNA evidence was found on the baseball bat that belonged to Akhtar, however.
Mr Comins’ blood was found on a trainer belonging to Akhtar, who was subsequently charged with murder on 10th January.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Mike Roddy, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said:
“The conclusion of this case sees Akhtar jailed for life for the violent murder of Mr Comins.
“The attack was completely needless, and whatever the motives, it was clear that Akhtar intended to cause Mr Comins very serious harm that night.
“The fact that Akhtar then made completely false allegations against co-residents shows the complete lack of remorse he has shown throughout. He cared for nobody other than himself and still denies any involvement, despite the weight of DNA evidence against him."
Mr Comins' mum released a tribute to her son at the conclusion of the murder trial:
“Despite having problems in the past, things were improving for Neil, his health was getting better and he had what we all thought was a safe place to live.
“It was just nine days before his 40th birthday that Neil was taken from us.
“Janaed Akhtar brutally attacked Neil at their multi-occupancy accommodation.
“Akhtar hit Neil about the head with a metal baseball bat, causing him fatal brain damage.
“Not only did he take Neil’s life, but he was callous enough to accuse two men, who had no involvement whatsoever. My thoughts go out to both of them.
“Neil may have been a grown man, over 6 feet tall, but he was, and always will be, my little boy.
“He was a much-loved son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin.
“He was known and fondly thought of by many.
“He will truly forever be remembered and missed."