A man has been jailed for fatally stabbing an 18-year-old victim with a weapon he purchased online using fake ID.
Emadh Miah, 18, of Solihull Road in West Midlands, was found guilty of murdering Ghulam Sadiq in Leytonstone after a trial at the Old Bailey in April this year.
The incident took place on August 6 in 2022 when Ghulam was stabbed in the back by Emadh who waited for him on the street where Ghulam lived.
DCI Linda Bradley, of the Met's Specialist Crime, shared that they have not been able to establish the motive of the crime conclusively. She said Miah’s careful planning showed it was not a “random act of violence” but a “planned and deliberate murder”.
On July 24 last year, Miah ordered two knives that were advertised as a ‘Fantasy Spartan Sword blackout version serrated-bade two-piece set’ on a website using a false name and driving license.
An earlier similar attempt by him had failed, but this time the order was reportedly accepted and shipped to him in Solihull. The knives could not be delivered and were left at a local post office.
A Met Police spokesperson said there was no record to show that the knives were collected but they bore a “striking resemblance” to the knife used to kill Ghulam.
Miah travelled from Birmingham to London on August 4, 2022 and the spokesperson said that Miah was believed to be in possession of atleast one of those knives.
On the day of the tragic murder, Miah took a train to Stratford and then hired a bike to get to Leytonstone where he was seen circling around by witnesses.
Miah was said to be wearing gloves and a surgical mask to conceal his face with his hoodie pulled up.
He then made his way to the street where Ghulam lived and waited for him. When Ghulam, who was also on his bike, arrived he quickly cycled off after seeing Miah pull out a knife.
Miah continued to wait for Ghulam, and shortly after ran towards him to stab him in the back. While Miah cycled off from the scene, an injured Ghulam managed to run to a restaurant in High Road where he collapsed.
Met Police were called to the restaurant at 2:16pm and they found Ghulam being provided first aid by members of public in the restaurant.
Emergency services tried hard to save Ghulam, but he did not survive and at 2:39pm was sadly pronounced dead.
An investigation launched by Met’s Specialist Crime team revealed that Miah had taken deliberate steps to evade detection. He had switched off his phone before travelling to Leytonstone and his clothing and knife were reportedly never recovered.
The officers were however able to trace him and had identified the bike he hired using his own bank card.
Miah was arrested on August 9, 2022 in Walsall on suspicion of murder and was subsequently charged with murder.
Miah has now been sentenced to a minimum term of 19 years for murder and given 12 months detention for possession of a pointed/bladed article to run concurrently by the Lewes Crown Court.
Met Police Spokesperson also revealed that this wasn’t the first time Miah had committed a crime.
In 2021, Miah was found guilty in another incident and was sentenced with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
In relation to the murder of Ghulam, DCI Bradley questioned why a lethal weapon is being sold online. She said: “I can see absolutely no justification why any reasonable member of society would need, or want, to purchase these items”.
She added that Ghulam’s family had now seen the man who murdered him being brought to justice and that their “anguish and loss will be with them forever”.
She said: “Our thoughts remain with them”.
Ghulam’s mother, Khalida Parveen shared that there are “no words to describe” her loss and pain.
She said: “That wretched day is unforgettable, I recall it as if it were yesterday – how can I ever overcome the void of losing my little baby!”
Ghulam, she added, was "very popular, compassionate" and "liked by family, friends, teachers and all that he was acquainted with".
She said: "He had so much to offer and had a very kind and gentle heart.
"He was very well known for his cheeky looks, respect for elders, good mannerism and was known as a very chirpy and polite kid in our local area.
"Ghulam, your short life enriched the lives of so many people. You'll never be forgotten".
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