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Three convicted of racist murder Three convicted of racist murder
(about 1 hour later)
Three white teenagers have been found guilty of the racially aggravated murder of an Asian taxi driver.Three white teenagers have been found guilty of the racially aggravated murder of an Asian taxi driver.
Father-of-three Mohammad Parvaiz, 41, was beaten to death by the teenagers near Huddersfield in July last year. Father-of-three Mohammad Parvaiz, 41, was beaten to death by the youths near Huddersfield in July last year.
Graeme Slavin and Christopher Murphy, both 18, and Steven Utley, aged 17, were found guilty at Leeds Crown Court.Graeme Slavin and Christopher Murphy, both 18, and Steven Utley, aged 17, were found guilty at Leeds Crown Court.
Michael Beeby, 16, and Jason Harris, 17, were found not guilty of murder and manslaughter. Michael Hand, 19, pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing.Michael Beeby, 16, and Jason Harris, 17, were found not guilty of murder and manslaughter. Michael Hand, 19, pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing.
Set upon
Beeby was also found guilty of violent disorder, a charge which all the other defendants had previously pleaded guilty to.Beeby was also found guilty of violent disorder, a charge which all the other defendants had previously pleaded guilty to.
Murphy, of no fixed address; Beeby, of Sigott Street, Longwood; Utley, of Elmfield Avenue, Golcar; Harris, of Royals Head Lane, Longwood; and Slavin, of Howard Road, Lindley, sat in the dock, some with their heads bowed.
The court heard that at the time of the killing Mr Parvaiz thought he was responding to a normal request for a fare.The court heard that at the time of the killing Mr Parvaiz thought he was responding to a normal request for a fare.
'Emotive and distressing' The teenagers will be sentenced at a later date
But instead he was lured down a cul-de-sac in Field Head, Huddersfield, and set upon by the gang of teenagers.But instead he was lured down a cul-de-sac in Field Head, Huddersfield, and set upon by the gang of teenagers.
Judge Dame Heather Steel adjourned sentencing for reports but said Murphy and Hand would receive life sentences.Judge Dame Heather Steel adjourned sentencing for reports but said Murphy and Hand would receive life sentences.
She said Utley and Slavin would be "detained at Her Majesty's pleasure".She said Utley and Slavin would be "detained at Her Majesty's pleasure".
She described the case as "emotive and distressing" and thanked the jurors for their dedication.She described the case as "emotive and distressing" and thanked the jurors for their dedication.
She lifted the reporting restrictions after reading submissions from members of the media. 'Mindless violence'
The judge said it was in the public interest for the names and identities of those involved in this "dreadful incident" to be revealed. Det Supt Tim Forber, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Mohammad Parvaiz was a hard working man, father-of-three and a loving husband.
After a six-week trial, the jury of six men and five women took nine hours to come to the verdicts.
'Devastating effect'
Det Supt Tim Forber of West Yorkshire Police led the investigation into Mr Parvaiz's death.
He said: "Mohammad Parvaiz was a hardworking man, father-of-three and a loving husband.
"His life ended because of a premeditated attack of mindless violence - this was pack mentality at its absolute worst."His life ended because of a premeditated attack of mindless violence - this was pack mentality at its absolute worst.
"I hope that Mr Parvaiz's family can now take some comfort from today's result and start to move forward with the rest of their lives.""I hope that Mr Parvaiz's family can now take some comfort from today's result and start to move forward with the rest of their lives."
A sentencing date has yet to be fixed.A sentencing date has yet to be fixed.
'Racist abuse' Mr Parvaiz showed no signs of offensive or defensive injuries, indicating that he was not capable of defending himself as he was being struck, the court heard.
He suffered 23 separate injuries, including a three-inch fracture along the base of his skull, a fractured cheekbone and fractured ribs.
It was alleged that £80 in takings was stolen, along with Mr Parvaiz's watch.
After his death, about 3,000 taxi drivers staged a strike, demanding better security measures in their cabs.After his death, about 3,000 taxi drivers staged a strike, demanding better security measures in their cabs.
Ch Supt Barry South, Divisional Commander for Kirklees said: "We understand that incidents such as this can cause tension within the community and the investigation team has worked tirelessly to bring to justice those responsible for Mohammad Parvaiz's murder."
He said every Kirklees taxi now had signs warning that abuse would not be tolerated and they were investigating installing CCTV cameras in taxis.
Richard Hebbert, of the Crown Prosecution Service West Yorkshire, said: "This killing was aggravated by the use of racist abuse during the attack on Mr Parvaiz, against a background of trouble between white and Asian youths.Richard Hebbert, of the Crown Prosecution Service West Yorkshire, said: "This killing was aggravated by the use of racist abuse during the attack on Mr Parvaiz, against a background of trouble between white and Asian youths.
"But Mr Parvaiz wasn't killed simply because he was Asian.""But Mr Parvaiz wasn't killed simply because he was Asian."