Double crossbow-killer pleads with judge to spare son heavy jail term
A father convicted of a double murder pleaded with a judge to spare his "perfect" co-defendant son a heavy jail term - as they were handed life sentences for two crossbow killings.
Saghawat's son Omar, 24, who was an up-and-coming accountant, was also handed a life sentence, one of 22 years, for the murder of Mr Douglas and manslaughter of his uncle, Waseem, as he took part in the fight too.
Mr Gary Bell QC, defending Saghawat, asked judged Michael Chambers QC on behalf of his client to show mercy on Omar, who he felt responsible for "dragging" into the violence.
Saghawat, who lived next door to the cannabis factory in Pensnett Road, Brierley Hill, went out to confront 17 intruders in the early hours of February 20 last year armed with a crossbow.
He was quickly followed down the stairs by Omar, who also lived at at the address, and who had never been in trouble with the law - having graduated from university with a masters degree and achieved employment at a top accountancy firm.
Saghawat ended up accidentally and fatally shooting Waseem while his brother grappled with Mr Douglas on the floor. Saghawat then fatally shot Mr Douglas, his original intended target. During the fight, Omar punched, kicked and stamped on Mr Douglas.
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Mr Bell said: "Clearly, he [Saghawat] wasn't a man of good character but he raised a son who stayed out of trouble, went to university and managed to find a job at one of the top accountancy [firms].
"His regret, having done so well raising his son, is that he dragged him [Omar] into this offence and feels responsible for his son sitting by him in the dock now.
"He asks no mercy for him. He asks your honour to do your worst. But he asks for mercy for his son when you go to sentence him.
"If he [Saghawat] gets out, he will be in the deepest twilight of his life. He will have to live his life knowing he killed his brother and and dragged his perfect son into the dock for murder."
Mr Philip Bradley QC, defending Omar, asked the judge to show him leniency, describing his participation in the killings as being out of character.
He said the crossbow killings had brought all of Omar's hard work "crashing down to the floor".
"He is an utterly driven individual who was clearly loved and respected and admired by his family members and people in the wider community," said Mr Bradley.
"Now he is on the floor. He is still a young man. There is still hope of a future for him."
Family friend Mohammed Sageer, 33, of Gorsty Avenue, Brierley Hill, who also took part in the fight, was jailed for 20 years for the murder of Mr Douglas and manslaughter his good friend Waseem.
His defence counsel, Michael Borelli QC, said: "He faces a long and difficult period of time in prison."
Victim impact statements were read out by the prosecution, Mr Adrian Keeling QC, on behalf of the families of both Mr Douglas and Waseem.
A statement from Mr Douglas' sister said: "The impact [of his death] cannot be summarised in a few sentences.
"He was a huge part of our lives. At school, he was described as gifted and talented and he continued to show those qualities during the rest of his life.
Represent
"He was special to each of us, [his death] has not just affected us but our friends. He was an extremely caring person."
She said Khuzaimah "worked hard day in, day out" to improve his skills as an athlete, which led him to represent his country nationally and internationally.
She added he was a "beautiful and precious" soul who was "taken to soon".
A statement was read out from the niece of Waseem, who said he was a "role model" to the family and was a man who "made people laugh".
She described his death as "devastating", adding: "The family have lost not just Waseem but the defendants related to him."
Each of the defendants were given life sentences, meaning the years handed out to them were a minimum which must be served behind bars.
Mr Chambers said the starting point for Omar's jail term was 25 years, which was reduced by three years.
He said Omar's life "tragically turned" after he had "worked very hard" and done "extremely well".
But he said: "This was no momentary loss of judgement. You went out armed knowing full well about the cannabis operation."
Deliberate
The cannabis operation had 286 plants growing inside across four rooms, with a potential yield of between £37,500 to £112,000, the court heard.
Addressing Saghawat, who had a starting point of 30 years for his jail term, he said: "You brought to the scene the large crossbow intending to use the weapon. Throughout this you were assisted and urged [on] by the other two defendants.
"You Saghawat was involved in the [cannabis] operation and controlled the security. There was a deliberate system of CCTV cameras positioned [at your home] deliberately covering the entrance [to the cannabis factory's property] and linked to your iPad and iPhone.
"You had a [collection of] weapons to be used against the real risk you perceived of a raid from another group, which is what happened."
Other weapons that he had included a samurai sword, a kirpan and a knife.
Sageer had been called to the scene by Waseem - who had already been alerted to the raid - and he also took part in the attack on Mr Douglas.
Addressing Sageer, Mr Chambers said: "I am satisfied you had been told by Waseem Ramzan what was going on and what was expected of you.
"You arrived there indenting to cause violence to the raiders and intending to protect the cannabis [farm]".
