GLASGOW: Three people have been jailed for life for the “merciless” murder of a man at a flat. Defenceless Haider Hayat, 49, was subjected to a “sustained” and “relentless” attack with lethal weapons at the property in Raithburn Road, Castlemilk, Glasgow, on April 3 last year.
He suffered more than 100 injuries and his throat was cut in the assault, which likely began when he was asleep, THE Asian Image has reported. Muhammed Rauf, Shahida Abid and Saima Hayat were all convicted of murder at the High Court in Glasgow last month.
Main assailant Rauf, 42, was ordered to spend a minimum of 24 years behind bars when he returned to the court for sentencing on Tuesday.
The victim’s wife, 34-year-old Saima Hayat, who was also convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice, was told she would spend at least 25-and-a-half years in jail before she can be considered for release.
Her co-accused 33-year-old Shahida Abid, Rauf’s wife, who also tried to cover up the crime, was given a life sentence with a 25-and-a-half year minimum term.
Passing sentence, judge Lady Rae told them: “All three of you are responsible for what was a merciless attack on Mr Hayat and all three of you are equally responsible for his death.”
The judge’s comments were released by the Judicial Office for Scotland following the hearing. The court heard that pathology evidence showed that Mr Hayat had sustained at least 100 severe blows to his head, while his throat and neck had been cut at least 16 times. He also had numerous other blunt force injuries to other parts of his body, including defensive wounds.
The judge also rejected Saima Hayat’s claims that her husband had been abusive towards her. “From the evidence I have heard in this case I am satisfied that you Saima Hayat were the abusive partner in this relationship and not your husband,” Lady Rad said.