Father and Son Sentenced for Violent Dudley Town Centre Attack Amid Family Feud
A father and son have been sentenced for a brutal daylight attack in Dudley town centre, where they assaulted a man with a hockey stick and Stanley knife. The court heard the incident was linked to escalating tensions between two families.
Violent Confrontation in Broad Daylight
Asad Shakil, 23, and his father Shakil Janjua, 53, launched the violent attack on New Street on November 7, 2022. CCTV footage showed the pair approaching the victim, who was using a walking stick, before punching him in the face and back of the head, knocking him to the ground.
Prosecutor Ms Naomi Nelson-Cofie detailed how the victim tried to escape upon noticing the defendants. "The victim emerges from a shop using a walking stick. He does appear to notice the defendants and tries to get away," she said.
The victim reportedly used his walking stick in an attempt to fend off the attack before Asad Shakil punched him in the face. Shakil Janjua then struck the victim "to the back of the head with the hockey stick" before another punch sent him to the floor.
Weapons Used in Sustained Assault
Ms Nelson-Cofie explained that the victim received two cuts to his face, likely caused by the Stanley knife that Asad Shakil had in his hand. "The final blow was a kick to the face by Asad Shakil," she added.
Once the defendants retreated, passers-by assisted the victim before he was taken to Russells Hall Hospital for treatment. In a victim impact statement read in court, the man said: "Since this incident, I have suffered anxiety and depression, and I have had to take medication. If they were able to do this in broad daylight, then they have no regard for anyone or anything."
Family Tensions and Legal Proceedings
The prosecution told the sentencing hearing that there were "tensions between the families" leading up to the 2022 incident. Both defendants initially answered no comment during police interviews but eventually pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm before their trial was set to begin.
Defence lawyers acknowledged the family history while attempting to contextualize the attack. Amrita Marwaha, defending Shakil Janjua, said there was a "history between the two families" and that "tensions had been rising for some time." When asked by the judge if this was a revenge attack, Ms Marwaha responded: "I wouldn't say this was a revenge attack. He simply came across him, and hostilities were high. He accepts he acted stupidly."
Babir Adris, defending Asad Shakil, claimed Shakil Janjua had phoned his son, saying he was being antagonized by the victim. "There was an incident between the victim and the father a week before," said Mr Adris. "He didn't want his father to get involved with the younger man and came out to assist further. There was no planning or premeditation."
Separate Dangerous Driving Offense
Asad Shakil was also sentenced for a separate matter of dangerous driving that occurred while he was on bail on January 21 this year. He led police on a high-speed chase through Rowley Regis while driving a hired Audi RS3, despite bail conditions preventing him from being in the West Midlands.
Ms Nelson-Cofie told the court: "Police were on patrol and noticed a black Audi RS3. At that stage, it was doing in excess of 50mph in a 30mph zone." CCTV footage showed a patrol car pursuing Asad Shakil, who eventually crashed into a lamppost after reaching speeds exceeding 80mph in a 30mph zone.
The defendant fled on foot but was found stuck in a churchyard while trying to climb a metal railing. He immediately admitted being the driver but offered no comment in interview.
Sentencing Outcomes
At Wolverhampton Crown Court on February 27, Asad Shakil of Sprydon Walk, Nottingham, received the following sentences:
- 10 months for dangerous driving
- 5 months for assault occasioning actual bodily harm
- 3 months for possessing the Stanley knife (to run concurrently)
His total jail term amounts to 15 months. Additionally, he received a 17-month driving ban requiring an extended retest before returning to the road, and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
Shakil Janjua of Green Park Road, Dudley, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon. He received:
- 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, for the assault
- 1-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, for weapon possession (to run concurrently)
Janjua was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187 and complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
Defence Mitigation
During sentencing, defence lawyers presented mitigating circumstances for both defendants. Ms Marwaha told the court that Shakil Janjua was a father of seven, a "respected" community member who carried out charity work and served as a full-time carer for his wife.
Mr Adris noted that Asad Shakil had worked as a security guard at the Bullring during the attack, a job he was "fond" of, and had lost his employment afterward.
The case highlights the serious consequences of family disputes escalating into public violence, with both perpetrators now facing significant legal penalties for their actions.
