Two heartless thugs jailed as victim mentally scarred for life

Two callous thugs who kidnapped and brutally attacked a vulnerable pensioner have been jailed for a combined total of 20 years - as victim speaks out about his terrifying ordeal.

Azizur Rahman (39), of no fixed address, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday) for 11 years and four months after being found guilty of kidnap, robbery, section 18 assault, non-fatal strangulation and perverting the cause of justice. 

Shohad Miah (25), of Fir Bank Road, Royton, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment after being found guilty of kidnap, section 20 assault, non-fatal strangulation and perverting the course of justice. 

The cold-hearted pair have been locked up for their role in kidnapping an 87-year-old man and subjecting him to serious injuries including a bleed on the brain, lacerations, bruising and knocked out teeth on Sunday, September 15, 2024. 

The victim was eventually released and a member of the public called an ambulance before he was rushed to the hospital. 

In a statement read out in court, the victim spoke of his terrifying ordeal: "Before the incident, I used to go out of the house regularly and speak with members of the community. I don’t go out as often anymore. 

"When I do, I feel a great sense of shame over what happened to me. I am well known in the community and lots of people ask me what happened. I get a sense from speaking to people that they assume I must have done something wrong to be treated in such a way. This makes me feel shameful in my own community.  

"Before this happened, I used to walk to mosque every day by myself with freedom and I would look forward to going. Now, even though I still walk to mosque by myself, I feel scared in case something like this happens again. This is very stressful and to feel this way every day is a big thing to have to go through. 

"I have been scared ever since this happened and am still not sleeping well. At night, I keep thinking about what happened to me and it keeps me awake as I run it through in my mind. 

"I was in poor health even before I was attacked and I honestly thought I was going to die. Following my time in hospital, I now have to take even more daily medication due to the injuries inflicted on me. 

"The physical impact on me is that I cannot hear as well out of my left ear. It feels like I have lost half of my hearing. My eyesight in my left eye is weaker than before the attack and I am still having a lot of pain in both cheek bones where the bruising was. I also had a tooth knocked out and another one is loose, which causes me pain whenever I eat. 

"This is another daily reminder of what happened. I just want it all to go away." 

Detective Sergeant Rick Bolt, of the Major Incident Team, said: "As an investigation team, we are pleased with the sentencings handed out. This was a particularly shocking crime that targeted a vulnerable elderly man, causing him severe physical and emotional trauma. 

“This was not a random attack; the victim was specifically targeted due to a prior visit to Rahman's home, where he had performed prayers. 

“The swift and thorough investigation by our team, utilising forensic evidence, ensured that these dangerous individuals were brought to justice. 

“We hope this sentence provides some measure of comfort to the victim and his family and serves as a stark warning to those who think they can commit such brutal acts without consequence."