Driver jailed for crowbar attack on stranger he mowed down at Manchester petrol station
Aqeel Ahmed, 24, is sentenced to four years in prison for what police called a "senseless and brutal" attack.
Friday 29 May 2020 17:55, UK
A man has been jailed after he drove into a stranger at a petrol station and then attacked him with a crowbar.
Aqeel Ahmed, 24, has been sentenced to four years in prison following the "senseless and brutal" assault in Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester.
CCTV showed that Ahmed got into his VW Touran after a confrontation and sped towards the petrol station, where he drove into the man.
The victim flew from the bonnet into a nearby parked car, knocking him unconscious, before Ahmed jumped out of his vehicle and stamped on the man's head three times.
The driver of a nearby parked vehicle attempted to intervene and restrain Ahmed, but he broke free and hit the victim several times with a crowbar.
Police said that without the brave actions of the other driver, as well as members of the public who raised the alarm, the victim may not have survived the "unrelenting" attack.
Ahmed, from Queensgate in Bolton, was arrested at the scene on 25 February, and the victim was treated in hospital for cuts to his scalp.
The defendant admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving and drink-driving at Manchester Crown Court, Greater Manchester Police said.
Detective Constable Terry Macmillan said: "This was an unrelenting attack on a man who Ahmed didn't even know, that could have caused life threatening injuries.
"If it wasn't for the bravery of the man who restrained Ahmed and other members of the public who quickly called police, his victim may not have survived.
"I would like to thank them for their quick-thinking actions that day.
"Ahmed's attack was senseless and brutal but thankfully CCTV footage of the events leading up to and after the assault has significantly helped to put this violent man behind bars."