Murderer who drove stolen car into cyclist jailed

Khalid was jailed for murder following a trial at Reading Crown Court

A murderer who drove a stolen Range Rover into a cyclist on a road will serve at least 21 years in prison.

Shazeb Khalid, 25, was found guilty of killing Vignesh Pattabi Raman, 36, after he crashed into him in Addington Road, Reading, in February.

Soiheem Hussain, 27, was found guilty of assisting an offender and was jailed for four years.

A police officer said Mr Raman's widow had been left "shattered" by his death.

Police were called to the crash in Addington Road on 14 February

At about 23:50 GMT on 14 February, Mr Raman was found injured and was later declared dead at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

Khalid, of no fixed address, was arrested by police on 19 February and charged the next day with Mr Raman's murder.

He mistakenly believed Mr Raman was responsible for instigating an investigation into whether a restaurant was employing illegal immigrants.

Hussain, of Rossby, Shinfield, was cleared of Mr Raman's murder following a trial in September at Reading Crown Court.

Det Ch Insp Stuart Brangwin, of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Unit, said he was "pleased" by Khalid's lengthy sentence and said it was reflective of the "truly sickening nature of his actions".

Hussain was jailed for four years for helping Khalid

“Vignesh was a kind, gentle man who moved to the UK on the promise of a job providing opportunity and hope for him and his wife, Ramya.

“Ramya’s life was shattered when her husband’s life was taken and Vignesh’s wider family and friends were similarly devastated," Mr Brangwin added.

“I can only hope that the sentences passed provide some relief for Vignesh’s family.”