Killer driver jailed after dragging man along West Bromwich High Street from moving van
A driver has been jailed for a minimum of 21 years for the murder of a man who was dragged more than 300ft by his van.
Paul Emmerson grabbed 22-year-old Mohammed Miah in West Bromwich High Street and then sped off with him dangling through the driver’s door window.
The 38-year-old plumber accelerated away in his VW Caddy, that had been parked near the Prince of Wales pub, and dragged Mr Miah along the road by the strap of his shoulder bag - at one stage speeding through red lights at the Trinity Way junction.
He then let go leaving him fatally injured in the road.
Mr Miah was found lying on the ground with serious head and chest injuries by passing motorists and he was pronounced dead at the scene on March 17, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Following CCTV enquiries, which showed the van registered to Emmerson, detectives arrested him from his home on Kemp Road, Birmingham, on the same day.
Today he was found guilty of murder following a six-day trial.
He was handed a life sentence and ordered to spend a minimum of 21 years behind bars.
Investigating officer Det Insp Harry Harrison from the Homicide team, said: “This was an unusual case to investigate, given that there seemed to be no clear motive for the attack.
“Although nothing will bring their loved one back, I hope Mr Miah’s family can today take some comfort in the fact that the man responsible for his untimely death is going to prison for his actions.”
Sister Shahara Kanum said: “To completely express the impact that my brother’s death has had on my life truly is impossible. The emotional and physical impact that my brother’s death has had on me is forcing me to live a life I don’t recognise and become a person I don’t know. I will never be able to be who I was before.
“I am resentful that the decisions and actions of others put me in the position to feel these things in the first place. The loss of my brother is something I will never be able to come to terms with nor forgive. I wish that those responsible could completely feel the extent to which they have ruined my life.”
A 42-year-old passenger who was also charged with the murder of Mr Miah, but the case was discontinued.
