The parents of a 22-year-old man who was 'executed' in a violent clash between rivals have spoken of their grief after their son's murder. Mohammed Khan was stabbed to death in Bloxwich Road, Walsall, after he confronted an enemy. He was kicked, punched and stamped on, suffering a traumatic brain injury and four fatal wounds.
Mother's Statement
Mohammed's mother has now spoken of her devastation, telling how her son's tragic death has left her feeling as if she is 'not the same person'. She experiences anxiety and struggles to find joy 'in anything'. In a statement read to Wolverhampton Crown Court, she said: 'He should be here today. He should be living his future. A huge part of me has gone with my son.'
The mum told how she cannot 'sleep properly' since her son's murder, describing how 'nights are the hardest'. She said: 'When the house quietens, my thoughts are the loudest.' Mohammed is often in her dreams. The mum went on: 'For a moment, I feel whole again. Then I wake up and remember he is gone.' She struggles with thoughts of what Mohammed may have been thinking in his last moments, questioning: 'I think of whether he called out for me.'
Father's Grief
Mohammed's father also spoke out, describing how his son's murder trial will 'stay with him forever'. He said he could 'never imagine sitting in a courtroom listening to how your son was attacked and killed', adding: 'I have had to listen as his final moments were described.' The dad told how he wishes he had been there to 'protect' Mohammed. He added: 'His last moment was of fear, violence, pain, the realisation he was alone. That will never leave me.'
Details of the Attack
The court heard how Mohammed suffered four fatal wounds to his neck, back and side, along with 16 sharp force injuries and blunt force injuries to his head and body. The wound to his neck damaged the jugular vein, he had fractures of his facial bones and he had a traumatic brain injury. Of Mohammed's injuries, his mum said: 'I can't understand how anyone can be so cruel.' She went on: 'He was one man against a group. No mother can live peacefully knowing he faced that alone.'
The court heard how Mohammed's brain injury was so severe that it had to be buried 'separately from his body'. His mum said: 'I had to bury my son knowing that he was not whole.' Having to bury Mohammed 'in parts' has left his father with a pain he 'cannot put into words'. The dad said: 'Even in death, Mohammed could not be laid to rest whole.'
Sentencing
Twins Asad Iftakhar and Hassan Iftakhar, their brother Zain Raja and cousin Amaan Khan were jailed on Thursday, April 30. Asad Iftakhar, 34, of Bloxwich Road, Walsall, was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 22 years, after being unanimously convicted of murder and possession of a knife. Hassan Iftakhar, 34, of Bloxwich Road, Walsall, was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 18 years, after being unanimously convicted of murder and possession of an axe. Zain Raja, 23, of Harden Road, Bloxwich, was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 18 years, after being unanimously convicted of murder. Amaan Khan, 22, of Harden Road, Bloxwich, was jailed for eight years after being acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter by a majority of 10 to 2.
