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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 sentenced to life in prison. 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 and ordered he serve a minimum of 20 years for killing the 71-year-old in Gravesend on 23 May, 2007. 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 Judge Patience said Aujila had never intended to pay for his cab journey and had deliberately punched Mr Bajar before kicking him as he lay on the ground and then driving over him But the Judge said Aujila had never intended to pay for his cab journey.
He said: "What you did was cold, callous and cruel. In short it was utterly wicked." He had deliberately punched Mr Bajar before kicking him as he lay on the ground and then driving over him.
I think we are satisfied that justice has been served Mr Bajar's son, Telu 'Terrible case'
Sentencing Aujila, Judge Patience said he would take into account his youth and immaturity but added that Mr Bajar's age and vulnerability meant the sentence reflected the gravity of the "terrible case". "What you did was cold, callous and cruel. In short it was utterly wicked," he said.
He said Aujila would be in prison for 18 years and 363 days as he had spent just over a year in custody on remand. 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.
Judge Patience said Mr Bajar was a "gentle, mild-mannered man" who would always avoid conflict.
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 injuriesGian 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 behaviour had become aggressive after he drank a bottle of Bacardi stolen from a shop. 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. Mr Bajar picked him up in Tooley Street, Gravesend, at about 2200 BST but a row later broke out about the fare.
He drove to St Benedict's Avenue where a row broke out about the cab 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 court was told that after Aujila climbed behind the wheel of Mr Bajar's Skoda Octavia he made 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.
The car was later found abandoned and burnt out in a nearby service road 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.
A broken Bacardi bottle covered with his fingerprints was found at the scene.
Neighbours in the street had tried to save Mr Bajar, who was described as a respected member of the Sikh community, but he died later that night in hospital from severe head injuries.
A pathologist at the trial said he had 39 separate sites of injury including fractures to his pelvis and ribs and a broken leg and hip.