Jailed for horror murder by judge who told jury to help stop sale of Zombie knives

A killer who murdered another teenager with Zombie knife has been jailed for life by a judge who urged the jury to try and stop the sale of the horror weapons.

Judge Christine Laing had said the 22 inch machete has absolutely no legitimate use and told the jury who convicted Emadh Miah, 18, to write to their MP in protest.

Miah hunted down Ghulam Sadiq, also 18, on a Boris bike to stab him to death in the street in broad daylight

Police and prosecutors have privately expressed outrage for years that sites like knifewarehouse.co.uk openly sell Zombie knives, crossbows and throwing knives.

Judge Laing told the jury: ‘I’m going to invite all of you to write to your MP and ask why weapons like the one we saw in this case can be bought from websites legitimately.

‘It is beyond me as to why that is. The weapon we are concerned with has absolutely no place in society.’

Ghulam’s mother Khalida Parveen had sobbed softly at the back of the court as the judge added: ‘Knife crime in general is becoming a scourge in society.

‘When people get hold of items like that, it really is quite shocking frankly. But there you are.’

The incident was caught on CCTV as Miah knifed Ghulam outside his home in Leytonstone, east London.

Ghulam had been out on his own bike to get pizzas for his friend when he was cornered in a cul-de-sac by Miah, who was wearing two hoodies and a surgical mask on a hot summer’s day.

Miah denied but was convicted by a jury of murdering Ghulam on 6 August last year after a two-week Old Bailey trial in April.

He admitted killing the teenager but claimed he was suffering from a mental disorder that diminished his responsibility.

Judge Laing, sitting at Lewes Crown Court, jailed Miah for life and ordered he serve a minimum of 19 years for murdering Ghulam.

Miah was given 12 months concurrent for wounding after he repeatedly hit a 16-year-old boy with a hammer.

The court heard how Miah, who was only 17 at the time of the murder, had tried to use false ID to buy knives prior to the crime.

He had first tried a 15 inch Rambo-style knife from a website on 23 July last year using a false name and a fake driving licence. The vendor realised the document was bogus and the weapon was not sent.

A day later Miah ordered two knives advertised as a ‘Fantasy Spartan Sword blackout version serrated-bade two piece set’ using the fake licence. This time the order was accepted and they were sent.

Deanna Heer, KC, prosecuting, said Miah armed himself ‘with a blade of some 22 inches in length – perhaps better described as a machete – and he had it concealed down his trousers.

‘Although it was a beautiful sunny day, he was wearing a puffa jacket and a hooded top with the hoods of both garments up, pulled right around his face, which was behind a surgical mask and he was also wearing gloves.

‘He travelled to Leytonstone on a Santander hire bike when he saw Ghulam Sadiq who was also out and about on his bike that day and it seems they spoke to one another before Sadiq cycled off.

‘The defendant made his way to Cotton Close, a cul-de-sac, a dead-end, where Ghulam Sadiq lived and he waited.

‘When Ghulam Sadiq arrived, the defendant followed him and took out his knife and Sadiq cycled away again.

‘The defendant returned to Cotton Close where he got off his bike. As he was standing there, knife in hand, Ghulam Sadiq came around the corner.

‘Upon seeing the defendant, standing there with the knife, he stopped. He tried to cycle away again but this time the defendant ran after him, caught up with him and stabbed him in the back.

‘Having done so he replaced his knife into the waistband of his trousers and cycled away as Ghulam Sadiq lay dying.’

Emergency services attended and delivered urgent first aid but despite their best efforts, Ghulam was pronounced dead around half-an-hour later at the scene.

‘The prosecution accepts that the defendant, Emadh Miah, is a young man who suffers from mental health disorders. However, those disorders do not explain the killing nor do they reduce his responsibility for it.

‘When he stabbed Ghulam Sadiq the defendant did so deliberately, intending to cause him at least really serious bodily harm, if not to kill and, as such, he is guilty of murder.’

Miah, of Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, denied but was convicted of murder.

Khalida Parveen said in a statement read to the court: ‘Ghulam was brutally murdered during broad daylight hours, near our family home. There are no words that can describe my loss and pain! That wretched day is unforgettable, I recall it as if it were yesterday – how can I ever overcome the void of losing my little baby?

‘Ghulam was very popular, compassionate and great fun, he was always the centre of attention and was very much liked by family, friends, teachers and all that he was acquainted with.

‘He had so much to offer and had a very kind and gentle heart. He was very well known for his cheeky looks, respect for elders, good mannerism and was known as a very chirpy and polite kid in our local area.

‘We cherish every moment we spent with him; we have so many happy memories. Ghulam, your short life enriched the lives of so many people. You’ll never be forgotten. Loved forever. My darling son, may you now rest in peace inshallah.’

DCI Linda Bradley of the Met’s Specialist Crime said: ‘This is one of those rare cases where we have never been able to conclusively establish a motive for the crime.

‘Miah tried to claim diminished responsibility, but the careful planning that went into buying weapons and his actions throughout the day of the fatal attack meant the jury were able to see through his deceit.

Ghulam Sadiq

‘Ghulam’s family have now seen the man responsible for his death brought to justice, but I know that their anguish and loss will be with them forever and our thoughts remain with them.

‘The team worked quickly to identify and arrest Miah and to uncover the attempts he had made to purchase the weapons he used in the attack. I cannot help but reflect that large knives and machetes being sold online is open to abuse and lamentably continues to be a risk to the public.’