TWO teenagers from the Bradford district who robbed a terrified student with what was described as “a killer’s knife” and filmed the incident to post on social media have avoided jail.
But a judge at Bradford Crown Court warned both Zain Khan and Nahid Ali that their punishment could be referred to the Court of Appeal if it was considered unduly lenient.
Handing Khan 24 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, and Ali 20 months suspended for the same period, His Honour Judge Graham Robinson said he was doing so “against my better judgement”.
Teens lured victim to park
The court heard how Keighley duo Khan, 19, of Kendal Mellor Court, and Ali, also 19, of Oakworth Road, lured a classmate to Aireville Park in Skipton where he was threatened with a knife, beaten, and made to transfer money into one of their bank accounts.
On March 6, 2024, the victim, who was a student at Craven College in Skipton, went to the college café with Khan, a fellow student who he believed to be a friend.
While there, Khan suggested they go to Morrisons to buy food.
As the pair walked towards the store, Khan pulled out a machete-type knife and forced the victim into park woodland.
They were met at the gates to the park by Ali.
Knife help up to victim's throat
He and Khan then subjected the victim to a violent assault during which he was kicked and punched several times and had the large, serrated knife held up to his throat, leading him to fear for his life.
To add humiliation to the victim’s ordeal, the pair filmed the attack and shared it on social media.
Footage of the victim with the knife held to his throat reached his mother.
During the attack, the victim’s phone was stolen and he was ordered to open his protected banking app.
Fearing for his life, he did so and transferred a large amount of money to Khan’s bank account.
However, this was not enough for Khan, the victim ended up calling a friend who transferred more money for him to pass on.
In total, they stole more than £800 from the victim.
'Terrified young man was on his knees pleading'
Khan and Ali were subsequently arrested and charged with robbery.
Khan was also charged with possessing the knife, which has never been recovered.
The victim was treated at hospital for several haematomas (collections of blood) to his head, temples, eye sockets, swelling to his face, bruising all over his body, and abnormal breathing.
Addressing the attack on the victim, Judge Robinson said: “The awful attack was filmed on a mobile phone.
“I’ve seen some [of the footage]. It shows a terrified young man on his knees, pleading, while kicks and punches are being rained down on him.
“Then, out of nowhere, you, Mr Khan, produce a wicked-looking knife whose sole purpose is to cause serious injury to animals or humans.”
He added: “It’s a killer’s knife.
“You told me today that you threw it away in a river. I just hope nobody else finds it.”
Teens sentenced
In addition to his suspended sentence Khan was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and to undertake 24 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
Ali must do 200 hours of unpaid work and complete 20 RAR days as well as attending the Stepping Stones project.
'Terrifying and humiliating attack'
Investigating officer Detective Constable David Hunton, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victim in this case who has not only suffered physically, but was left traumatised and unable to leave his own home at one point.
"I hope this outcome provides some closure for him and his family.
“It is hard to comprehend what went through the defendants’ heads when they decided to carry out this terrifying and humiliating attack.
“They clearly planned it in advance and were not only content to violently attack their victim but thought it was acceptable to film it and share it on social media.
“They have gone from college students straight into the criminal justice system as convicted and violent offenders.
"I hope they realise the gravity of their actions and get some help to take a different path from the appalling criminal one they have chosen.”
Share