Trio jailed for 'vicious' knife attack

Emal Ahmadzi (left), Said Raza (centre) and Hanif Rahman (right) attacked two men in Coventry

Three men have been jailed over a "vicious" street assault in Coventry.

Said Raza, Hanif Rahman and Emal Ahmadzi attacked two men in Stoney Stanton Road on 11 October last year.

The men kicked and slashed at their victims with a knife, causing them to fall into the road.

Raza and Ahmadzi pleaded guilty to wounding and possession of a bladed article before Rahman was found guilty of both charges as well as possession of an offensive weapon after a trial at Warwick Crown Court.

West Midlands Police said the trio had been seen walking with their victims, before splitting off, and later returning to begin the attack.

The force said Ahmadzi, 21, was seen in CCTV footage slashing at one of the men with a large blade.

When the men attempted to run away Raza, 20, kicked their legs and slashed at them again, causing them to fall into the road.

Rahman, 21, was nearby during the whole attack also holding a knife and advancing towards the victims.

The three men were located two days later in the centre of Coventry and arrested for their part in the "vicious attack", a police spokesperson said.

The trio were all sentenced on Friday.

Rahman, of Rye Hill, Coventry, was jailed for five years while Ahmadzi, of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.

Raza, of Emscote Road, Warwick, was jailed for four years and nine months.