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Taxi driver murderer given life | Taxi driver murderer given life |
(30 minutes later) | |
A man who killed a taxi driver by mowing him down with his own vehicle has been jailed for life. | |
A jury at Maidstone Crown Court found Luke Aujila, 21, of Dorchester Road, Gravesend, Kent, guilty of murdering Gian Chand Bajar. | A jury at Maidstone Crown Court found Luke Aujila, 21, of Dorchester Road, Gravesend, Kent, guilty of murdering Gian Chand Bajar. |
Judge Andrew Patience sentenced him to life with a minimum of 20 years for killing the 71-year-old in Gravesend on 23 May, 2007. | |
As he sentenced Aujila, he described what he had done as "utterly wicked". | As he sentenced Aujila, he described what he had done as "utterly wicked". |
Aujila had admitted manslaughter but denied murder claiming he was so drunk he did not see Mr Bajar in the road. | Aujila had admitted manslaughter but denied murder claiming he was so drunk he did not see Mr Bajar in the road. |
But the Judge said Aujila had never intended to pay for his cab journey. | |
He had deliberately punched Mr Bajar before kicking him as he lay on the ground and then driving over him. | |
'Terrible case' | |
"What you did was cold, callous and cruel. In short it was utterly wicked," he said. | |
Mr Bajar's age and vulnerability meant the sentence reflected the gravity of the "terrible case", he said. | |
Aujila had 12 previous convictions, including assaulting a number of police officers and attempted theft of a vehicle. | Aujila had 12 previous convictions, including assaulting a number of police officers and attempted theft of a vehicle. |
Outside court Mr Bajar's son, Telu, said: "I think we are satisfied that justice has been served." | Outside court Mr Bajar's son, Telu, said: "I think we are satisfied that justice has been served." |
Chief Supt Gary Beautridge, area commander for north Kent, said: "The murder of Mr Bajar was a truly shocking crime that affected everyone who had respected and admired such a truly outstanding member of our local community." | Chief Supt Gary Beautridge, area commander for north Kent, said: "The murder of Mr Bajar was a truly shocking crime that affected everyone who had respected and admired such a truly outstanding member of our local community." |
Gian Chand Bajar died in hospital from his injuries | Gian Chand Bajar died in hospital from his injuries |
He added as a result of the case a scheme to have CCTV fitted in all taxis in Gravesend was well under way, with the devices due to be installed by the end of August. | He added as a result of the case a scheme to have CCTV fitted in all taxis in Gravesend was well under way, with the devices due to be installed by the end of August. |
During the three-week trial, the court had heard that on the night of the attack Aujila's became aggressive after drinking a stolen bottle of Bacardi. | |
Mr Bajar picked him up in Tooley Street, Gravesend, at about 2200 BST but a row later broke out about the fare. | |
Aujila climbed behind the wheel of Mr Bajar's Skoda Octavia, making no no effort to slow down or avoid the father-of-five as he lay hurt in the road. | |
The car was later found abandoned and burnt out and blood was found on Aujila's trainers and tracksuit bottoms. | |
Neighbours in the street had tried to save Mr Bajar, described as a respected member of the Sikh community, but he died later that night from severe head injuries. | |