Man jailed over takeaway murder

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7259607.stm

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A man has been given a life sentence for the murder of a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death near a takeaway.

Mahmud Maksoudian, 22, attacked Andrew Holland and another boy after he became involved in an argument with a group of teenagers in Farnworth in Bolton.

The pair were taken to hospital but Andrew later died.

The judge at Manchester Crown Court sentenced him to life in prison to serve a minimum of 19 years before he is eligible for parole.

He was also found guilty of wounding with intent and sentenced to a further 19 years in prison which will run concurrently with his murder sentence.

Andrew, who lived in Trentham Gardens, Farnworth, was found collapsed and bleeding outside Ashy's takeaway in Farnworth.

Police said Maksoudian had "no regard for the consequences"

Maksoudian, 22, of Madams Wood Road, Little Hulton in Salford, walked back into the takeaway, got a tissue for a cut to his finger and asked if his food could be delivered.

He was still outside the takeaway when police arrived and was arrested.

A post-mortem examination revealed Andrew died from a single stab wound to the neck which also punctured his chest.

Chief Insp Peter Giles, who led the investigation, said: "This is a tragic case which highlights just how dangerous knives can be.

"We could have easily been dealing with two dead boys as a result of this attack and Maksoudian clearly had no regard for the consequences of his actions.

Andrew's mother, Joan Holland, said: "I feel as though I haven't got a future without Andrew and as though I don't want to be here anymore.

"I won't be able to grow old with him beside me and there will be no 18th or 21st birthday to celebrate with him.

"I will never see him get married or settle down and have children. I just feel as though a huge part of me has been ripped away."