A brutal, daylight “execution” took place on a Walsall street as part of an ongoing feud between rival groups. The victim, Mohammed Khan, was the target of a violent and relentless attack that left him dead. Despite Mohammed possibly initiating the confrontation, the viciousness of the assault was far beyond any justification, a judge declared.
The attack was a coordinated effort involving brothers Asad and Hassan Iftakhar, their sibling Zain Raja, and cousin Amaan Khan. Witnesses described the horrific scene where some of the attackers even laughed while Mohammed’s bloodied body was removed by his own brothers. The assailants also recorded the assault on video.
Sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Judge Michael Chambers KC condemned the violence as “sickening” and a reckless display of impunity on busy public streets, endangering bystanders. The attack began around 5 pm on March 17 last year when Mohammed chased Zain with a machete and a combat knife, sparking a confrontation that escalated quickly.
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Although Mohammed initiated the violence by chasing Zain and engaging in a fistfight, the attackers rapidly subdued and disarmed him. What followed was a merciless, repeated assault involving stabbing, punching, kicking, and stamping — actions far more than self-defense, the judge noted.
Zain kicked Mohammed’s head while Asad stabbed him multiple times. Amaan pushed past others to kick the defenseless victim, and Hassan joined later wielding an axe, although he did not use the weapon but instead delivered multiple kicks. The courtroom heard how this was a joint, brutal execution rather than a spontaneous fight.
Mohammed, aged 22, suffered fatal wounds including deep stabs to his neck that damaged his jugular vein, multiple fractures, sharp force injuries, and blunt trauma. Despite efforts, he did not survive.
Police gathered extensive video evidence from bystanders and CCTV footage that was pivotal in securing the convictions. The attackers had varied criminal histories, some minor but others involving multiple offenses.
During sentencing, the court heard expressions of remorse and attempts by defense lawyers to humanize their clients, emphasizing their intentions to change and personal struggles. Nonetheless, the gravity of their actions led to sentences totaling over 65 years in prison collectively.
Detective Inspector Joe Davenport emphasized the crackdown on knife crime and public violence, declaring that such senseless acts will not be tolerated in Walsall or the wider West Midlands. The case underscores the devastating impact of violent crime fueled by personal and group rivalries.