A wave of shock and outrage has swept through Oldham following the conviction of two men for the horrific kidnap and assault of an 87-year-old man. The details of the crime, revealed in Manchester Crown Court, paint a chilling picture of calculated violence and callous disregard for human life.
Azizur Rahman, 38, and Shohad Miah, 24, now stand convicted of kidnapping the elderly victim as he walked home from Oldham Central Mosque. The court heard how the pair forced him into a vehicle and subjected him to a "violent, sustained assault." The brutality of the attack is almost incomprehensible: strangulation, knife threats, and severe physical injuries, including a bleed on the brain and multiple broken teeth.
Robbed of his phone
The victim was then robbed of his phone, money, and keys, stripped of his clothing, and forced to consume alcohol. To add to the cruelty, he was abandoned on a dark road in Rishworth, West Yorkshire, a full 15 miles from where he was abducted.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) detectives revealed that the attack was not random. The victim had previously provided religious services, including prayers and amulets, to Rahman's family. This detail suggests a disturbing level of premeditation and a betrayal of trust.
In a further attempt to cover their tracks, Rahman and Miah burnt out the car used in the crime, a futile effort to destroy forensic evidence. However, CCTV footage and other evidence proved crucial in bringing them to justice.
Detective Sergeant Rick Bolt
Detective Sergeant Rick Bolt condemned the attack, stating, "This was not a random attack; the victim was specifically targeted." He praised the investigative team for their diligence in securing convictions.
The pair were found guilty of kidnap, robbery, assault, intentional strangulation, and perverting the course of justice. They will face sentencing on May 25th.
Difficult task of recovery
this case has deeply affected the Oldham community, raising concerns about the safety of elderly residents and the shocking level of violence some are capable of. The victim, who has endured unimaginable trauma, now faces the difficult task of recovery.
As the community awaits the sentencing, there is a collective hope that justice will be served and that this revolting crime will send a clear message: such acts of violence will not be tolerated.
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