Two “drunk bastards” who kicked a taxi driver to death after he asked them to stop eating in his car have been sentenced to life in prison.
Connor McPartland, 20, and Martin Tracy, 18, repeatedly beat and kicked 39-year-old Ali Asgar in a “ferocious, brutal and completely ruthless attack” on October 30.
The two were angry after he took them to the wrong address, even though they had entered it into the Uber app themselves, the court said.
A Manchester Crown court has heard that the couple has ordered Uber to meet with people at the Ko-Ko Lounge in Rochdale. But McPartland entered the address of Coco’s Grillhouse and Desserts, also in Rochdale.
Mr. Asgar asked them to stop eating cheeseburgers and chips in the car, and when he explained that they had entered the wrong address on Uber, they attacked him.
Prosecutor Galais Gozem said the taxi arrived at the address and stopped before stopping near the Shell gas station shortly after 4 am.
The court heard that Mr. Asgar opened the rear passenger door to release the passengers when a “fierce dispute” broke out.
The two launched an attack that ended in pushing Mr Asgar, breaking his head and breaking his skull. They kicked him in the head as he lay defenseless on the floor, the court heard.
Another taxi driver, Mohammad Khalid, saw Mr Asgar confront and tried to reason with the two men. He then retreated in his taxi, fearing he would be attacked, and called police.
Mr Asgar died two weeks later in hospital after suffering head injuries in the attack. McPartland and Tracy, both from Oldham, denied the murder but were found guilty after a nine-day trial.
Ali Asgar’s killers have been sentenced to life in prison
(Greater Manchester Police / SWNS)
They were sentenced to 14 years, six months and 13 years, six months on Monday, respectively
Condemning the couple, Judge Alan Conrad QC praised Mr Khalid’s bravery and described the killers as “a couple drunk and titular prostitutes”.
He said they had a life of their own, but said it was nothing compared to the damage he had done to Mr Asgar’s family. He added: “It was a brutal and prolonged attack. You both lied about your involvement and tried to minimize what you did.
In a statement released by police, Mr Asgar’s family said he was a loving and devoted son, brother and friend who he will miss forever.
The statement reads: “On behalf of his family, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the police, the lawyer, the judge, the jury and everyone else who helped our Ali get justice for what happened to him.
“A huge heart was grateful to everyone.”
Speaking after the verdict, senior investigator Phil Reed welcomed the verdict, saying: “The senseless actions of Tracy and McPartland this morning were extremely contemptuous and led to the loss of a family of a much-loved son and brother.
“These two men are obviously violent people and I am relieved that they are already off our streets and have time to think about their actions and the pain and grief they have caused.
“Today, the judge praised the taxi driver for his actions in trying to save Ali’s life, and I would also like to thank him for his courage.
SWNS
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