Saturday 21 August 2010

Three Caged For Human-Torch Death Bid


Three “sadistic bullies” who tried to burn an acquaintance to death after beating and dousing him with lighter fluid in an East End park have all been jailed for life.

Rizwan Ahmed, 25, (pic.top) suffered 44% burns to his legs, abdomen, arms and hands in Mile End Park in the early hours of November 2, last year – later developing septicemia and pneumonia.

The trio are: Jermaine Joseph, 23, of Ida Street, Poplar (pic.2nd top); Shane Dedman, 21, of Pennyfields, Poplar (pic.3rd top) and Kieren Bruff, 22, of Merchant Street, Bow (pic.bottom).

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Luke Marks of Tower Hamlets CID said: “This was a callous, violent and pre-mediated attack on Rizwan Ahmed.

“The reason for the attack remains unknown. Only those found guilty truly know why they chose to beat Mr Ahmed to the point of unconsciousness, before pouring accelerant over him and setting him alight.

“Mr. Ahmed received 44 per cent burns to his body and it was only the specialist care provided by the staff at Royal London Hospital and the Specialist Burns Unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford that saved his life.

“Mr. Ahmed is a quiet, unassuming man who appears to have been targeted for no better reason than some extreme form of sadistic bullying.

“Mr. Ahmed is now trying to rebuild his life, however the physical and psychological injuries he sustained will remain with him forever.”

The victim, who knew Joseph and Dedman, was beaten to the point of unconsciousness and left lying on the ground.

The defendants ran away, but returned moments later to set Mr. Ahmed alight, having doused him with two bottles of lighter fluid- stolen by Joseph from a petrol station earlier.

Despite his injuries, Mr. Ahmed managed to put out the flames and was spotted by members of the public staggering near Burdett Road and police were called.

Each defendant was ordered to serve a fifteen-year minimum by an Old Bailey judge before being considered for parole.

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