Pair who kidnapped and attacked elderly imam jailed

Two men who kidnapped and violently attacked an elderly imam before trying to cover it up by setting fire to the car they used have been jailed

Azizur Rahman, 39, and Shohad Miah, 25, were each found guilty of a range of offences including kidnap and robbery after their assault on the 87-year-old on 15 September last year.

The pair had pulled him into an Audi as he walked home from Oldham Central Mosque before blindfolding him with his own scarf, strangling him, stealing from him and then before dumping him 15 miles away.

Rahman was sentenced to 11 years and four months while Miah was jailed for nine years at Manchester Crown Court.

The court heard the pair had knocked out the man's teeth and left him with serious injuries including a bleed on the brain, lacerations and bruising.

Detectives said the victim was eventually released after he was robbed of his phone, money and keys and was left abandoned on a dark road in Rishworth, West Yorkshire.

The court also heard the imam had been stripped of his clothes and forced to drink alcohol.

The car was left burnt out in a failed plan to destroy any trace of forensic evidence, Greater Manchester Police said.

Det Sgt Rick Bolt previously said it "was not a random attack" and the victim has been "specifically targeted".

He had visited Rahman's home and performed prayers and provided amulets, an object believed to confer protection or fortune, for a family member, he said.

"Fortunately, the kidnap was captured on CCTV footage, which along with other evidence, led investigation officers to the offenders," Det Sgt Bolto said.

After the victim was found in Oldham Road in Rishworth, Sowerby Bridge, a member of the public called emergency services and he was taken to hospital.

The Audi was found a few days later after having been deliberately set alight, with forensic testing finding the victim's blood on the back seat.

Following a police investigation, Rahman and Miah were arrested and answered no comment in their police interviews.

They went on to claim that the Imam was the aggressor, but CCTV footage showed the victim being forced into the Audi.

Investigators also found dashcam footage from Miah's car which recorded the pair planning the attack.

In a statement given to the court, the imam said: "I honestly thought I was going to die.

"Before this happened, I used to walk to mosque every day by myself with freedom and I would look forward to going.

"Now, even though I still walk to mosque by myself, I feel scared in case something like this happens again."

He said his physical injuries had left him with impaired hearing and eyesight, as well as pain in his face and problems with his teeth.

Det Sgt Bolt said: "This was a particularly shocking crime that targeted a vulnerable elderly man, causing him severe physical and emotional trauma."

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