23 Feb 2008
Gang attack pair refused jail term cut
TWO Huddersfield teenagers convicted of murdering an Asian taxi driver in
a racist attack in Huddersfield have failed in their bid to have their jail
terms shortened.
It means both Graeme Paul Slavin and Steven Utley must serve at least
17 years in prison for killing father-of-three Mohammed Parvaiz in Golcar.
They, along with two others jailed for murder – Christopher Murphy who
was found guilty and Michael Hand who pleaded guilty – were given life sentences.
Murphy and Hand were given longer tariffs with Murphy receiving 25 years
and Hand 21 because they had stolen £80 and a watch from Mr Parvaiz.
Barristers for Slavin, of Lindley, and Utley, of Golcar, had gone to the
Court Of Appeal to argue that the tariffs were too long and the starting
point should have been lower.
Their barristers told judges that the tariffs should be cut because there
was no intention to kill Mr Parvaiz, who lived in Birkby.
But Lord Justice Gage sitting with Lord Justice Hughes and Judge David
Paget said the attack on Mr Parvaiz was “horrific.’’
Agreeing with the sentencing judge’s remarks that the attack was “savage
beyond belief” he added that the last words the 41-year-old victim would
have heard would have been racist abuse directed towards him.
Lord Justice Gage said: “We see no arguable ground for saying that the
starting point of 17 years in each case was too long or manifestly excessive.’’
He also rejected arguments from Slavin’s lawyers that his tariff should be
cut because of his good progress in prison where he is taking an open
university course and is a member of the basketball and volleyball teams.
The court heard that Mr Parvaiz was the innocent victim of an ongoing
feud between and group of white and a group of Asian youths.
On June 11, 2006, there was an incident at Elmfield Avenue in Golcar at a
flat where Utley lived. A motor scooter belonging to one of Utley’s friends
was damaged by an Asian gang who had been unwittingly driven to the
scene by Mr Parvaiz in his taxi.
He didn’t realise their intentions and at one point had become so scared
during the incident he tried to drive off.
Five weeks later on July 22 he was lured to isolated Field Head in Golcar
by his killers who had been smoking cannabis and drinking.
When Mr Parvaiz arrived he thought he was collecting a normal fare, but
instead the windows of his car were smashed and he was dragged from
the vehicle, beaten, kicked and stamped on. He died from his injuries.
Two other youths, Michael Beeby, 16, and Jason Harris, 17, were found
not guilty of murder and manslaughter, but admitted violent disorder.
Source: Huddersfield Examiner
Related TDO Topic(s):
Parvaiz murder verdict
Mohammad Parvaiz court case
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