Mohammed Ali Khan jailed for life for murdering David Read

On Monday, Mohammed Ali Khan, was found guilty of killing 50-year-old David Read in Blackburn.

Khan, 35, of Preston New Road, was charged with the murder of Mr Read which took place at his Leamington Road home on June 6.

And today, (Wednesday December 20), he was jailed for life, with a minimum of 22 years, at Preston Crown Court by Judge Graham Knowles KC.

READ MORE: Jury finds Mohammed Ali Khan guilty of murdering David Read

On Monday, following a week of hearing evidence and after less than an hour of deliberations, a jury of six men and six women returned a unanimous verdict of guilty.

READ MORE: Murder trial told Mohammed Ali Khan killed David Read in Blackburn

Preston Crown Court heard how drug dealer and addict, Khan, had known his vulnerable victim for around 19 years and had regularly taken drugs with him in Mr Read's flat.

The prosecution said that Khan had become angered over £700 worth of drugs that he claimed Mr Read had stolen from him and in a fit of rage, he attacked his "friend", inflicting more than 100 injuries to his whole body using a claw hammer and pair of scissors.

Mohammed Ali Khan (Image: Lancs Police)

He then washed his hands of blood, gathered his belongings and left Mr Read to die alone on the floor of his flat.

READ MORE: David Read murder accused 'admitted guilt to sister' in call

In the days that followed, Khan then made attempts to cover his tracks, which included getting changed, discarding his blood-stained clothes, deleting Mr Read's number from his phone, and smashing Mr Read's phone to pieces.

During the trial, Home Office pathologist Dr Charles Wilson said Mr Read died as a result of multiple injuries.

Dr Wilson said there were more than 100 areas of injury found on his body, including 46 on his skull, caused by the round end of a hammer, the claw of a hammer, and the blades of a pair of scissors.

It was also heard Mr Read had suffered injuries and fractures to his hands, consistent with self-defence wounds.

READ MORE: Mohammed Ali Khan said David Read was his friend, jury told

Forensic pathologist Lindsay Meek told the court Mr Read had been attacked in four different areas of his home, including two in the bedroom and two in the living room.

Ms Meek said extensive blood stains were found on a sofa in the lounge and on the walls behind the sofa, as well as on an armchair.

Ms Meek also said Mr Read’s blood was found on his bed and on the floor of the bedroom close to a radiator.

David Read (Image: Lancs Police)

Following his arrest and charge, Khan kept his mouth shut when being interviewed by the police but effectively confessed to the killing when speaking on the phone with his sister while in custody.

READ MORE: Fate of murder accused, Mohammed Ali Khan, in jury's hands

The calls were recorded, as is procedure with calls made from custody, and Khan's exchanges with his sister, spoken in Urdu, were translated, which was when it was found he had said: "I have committed murder.

"Murder has been done by me, what do I do. He stole the stuff worth £700."

It was also heard in court this morning that during one of the calls made to his sister while in custody, Khan said: "In Syria, non-believers are killing Muslims all the time. A non-believer has been killed here, so what is the big deal?"

Prosecuting barrister Jaime Hamilton KC said this was not disclosed or used as evidence during the trial, but demonstrated a clear lack of remorse by Khan. 

In evidence Khan told jurors he acted in self-defence, but Mr Hamilton KC dismissed his words, saying if the defendant had not intended to kill Mr Read, why hadn't he told his sister this and why hadn't he told the police he was trying to defend himself.

He also highlighted the fact that Khan had no visible injuries upon his body, save for those inflicted upon him by the police as they were attempting to arrest him.

Det Supt Mark Haworth-Oates, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was a truly shocking murder committed against a vulnerable man in his own home.

“The level of violence used and the injuries sustained by David were some of the worst I have seen in my career. He had over 100 different injuries all over his body.

“Having made no effort to seek help for David, who he left dead or dying on the floor of his flat, Khan prioritised disposing of evidence and covering his tracks.

“With the overwhelming support of the community, the officers and staff who worked on this case managed to piece together the evidence that left no doubt in the jury’s mind that Khan was responsible for David’s murder.

“While today’s focus will understandably be on Khan, my thoughts remain with David’s loved ones on what is no doubt a day filled with a mixture of emotions. I feel for them that they have had to hear the evidence during the course of the trial but hope that in time the outcome of today will bring them some sense of closure.”

In a new tribute, David’s family said: “David had a gentle nature and was known to those close to him as the gentle giant. Life will never be the same without David and he will be missed by everyone who knew him.”