Four men face years in jail for murdering father-of-four, 42, who had his ears sliced off by machete

Father-of-four Sajed Choudry (pictured) was attacked three days after the gang struck his son in the face with a metal bar

Four men face years in jail after being found guilty of murdering a father-of-four who had his ears sliced off with a machete in a long-running family feud. 

Sajed Choudry, 42, died after spending two weeks in a coma after a row near his home in Blackburn, Lancashire, on November 27 last year. 

Doctors attempted to re-attached his ears in a 14-hour operation by using a skin graft from his legs after he was rushed to hospital.

Sadaqat Ali, 36, who prosecutors said struck the fatal blow, his brother Rafaqat Ali, 38, father-in-law Fazal Ilahi, 62, and a fourth man Syed Ali Akbar, 45, have each been convicted of murder today at Preston Crown Court.

Sadaqat Ali was also convicted of attempted murder after he smashed Mr Choudry’s son Ashan, 20, over the head with a metal bar following a chance meeting in the street three days before the fatal attack on Mr Choudry.

The other three men have also been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

A fifth youth, who cannot be identified due to their age, was found guilty of manslaughter and unlawful wounding. 

During the trial, Lancashire Police logs recorded 41 separate complaints in the six months leading up to Mr Choudry’s death.

Sajed Choudry, 42, was left in a coma (pictured) after the violent assault on him and and his son in late November but died two weeks later. While in a coma he had a 14-hour operation to re-attach his ears using skin from his legs but did not survive

Sajed Choudry, 42, was left in a coma (pictured) after the violent assault on him and and his son in late November but died two weeks later. While in a coma he had a 14-hour operation to re-attach his ears using skin from his legs but did not survive

Sadaqat's brother Rafaqat Ali, 38, was also found guilty of causing grevious bodily harm with intent at Preston Crown Court

His father-in-law Fazal Ilahi, 62, was also found guilty of causing grievous bodile harm with intent

Sadaqat’s brother Rafaqat Ali, 38, (left) and father-in-law Fazal Ilahi, 62, were also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent along with a fourth man. All the men face years in jail when they are sentenced next month

A fourth man, Syed Ali Akbar, 45, was also found guilty of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. A youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of manslaughter and unlawful wounding

A fourth man, Syed Ali Akbar, 45, was also found guilty of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. A youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of manslaughter and unlawful wounding

The head of the rival family, Sadaqat Ali, had been arrested three days before the machete attack, for smashing Mr Choudry’s son Ahsan, 24, over the head with a metal bar following a chance meeting in the street on November 24.

While in custody, Sadaqat Ali’s wife said she saw another son of Mr Choudry, Mohsan, 20, approach her husband’s car and slash one of the tyres, which led to his arrest.

After his release, Sadaqat Ali and four others gathered armed with a cache of weapons including knives, an axe and blocks of wood before cornering Mr Choudry.

CCTV footage also showed Mr Choudry armed with a baseball bat with his son Ahsan, who was carrying a cricket bat. 

Prosecutor Gordon Cole QC said Sadaqat Ali was seen repeatedly holding the machete and at one point struck Ahsan and caused a massive gash to his left hand.

In return, Sadaqat Ali was hit in the face with Ahsan’s bat and then Rafaqat Ali struck Ahsan on the head with a stick, said Mr Cole.

He said later Sadaqat Ali narrowly missed Sajed Choudry’s wife, Shazia, with a swipe of the machete before Sajed Choudry was felled.

Sadaqat Ali, 36, was found guilty of murdering father-of-four Sajed Choudry in Blackburn, Lancashire, along with three other men. He was also found guilty of attempting to murder Mr Choudry's 20-year-old son Ashan, who he hit over the head with a metal bar and now faces years in jail

Sadaqat Ali, 36, was found guilty of murdering father-of-four Sajed Choudry in Blackburn, Lancashire, along with three other men. He was also found guilty of attempting to murder Mr Choudry’s 20-year-old son Ashan, who he hit over the head with a metal bar and now faces years in jail

Mr Cole said Mr Choudry was struck by a ‘clear backhand swipe’, which floored him.

The court heard Sadaqat Ali then chased Ahsan into his front garden before striking the door with the machete and then turning away, Mr Cole said.

The machete has never been recovered, the court heard.

Saira Ali and Asma Ali, the wives of Sadaqat and Rafaqat, who were accused of switching off CCTV cameras covering the street, were cleared of attempting to pervert the course of justice partway through the hearing.  

Trial judge Mr Justice Dove adjourned the case for sentence until September 19.

While speaking at Preston Crown Court in June, Ahsan Choudry said that on the day his father was attacked he left his home to meet a friend, who was parked nearby.

As he got into the passenger seat, someone tried to open the door.

Mr Choudry said in a police interview played to court in June: ‘I could see something was up his sleeve. I didn’t get out of the car, I just got on the phone to the police, I said, “listen I’m about to get attacked, the guy is harassing me, coming outside the car”.

‘The first thing that came into my head was my dad, my mum and my brother.

‘I came out into the street. I could see there was a few people there near the park, walking up the steps. My dad’s outside, and my mum.’

Ahsad Choudry said he tried to get to his father, but as he approached he started to feel blows to his head.

His killers met up met up in Rhyl Avenue, Blackburn, pictured, on the late evening of November 27 last year armed with pieces of wood, an axe and a machete, the jury was told

His killers met up met up in Rhyl Avenue, Blackburn, pictured, on the late evening of November 27 last year armed with pieces of wood, an axe and a machete, the jury was told

He said: ‘They hit my dad first. I didn’t know it was a machete or anything like that. I thought it was a bat. At that time I started to get hit, my dad was falling on the floor.

‘I’m looking at him and he is getting attacked by two people and I am getting attacked by two people.’

Mr Choudry said he felt blood running down his head and ran back to his house.

He was chased to the door, which he shut behind him, but heard banging on the door.

Fearful for his father, who was still outside, Mr Choudry went back outside the house.

As his attacker turned towards him with the machete raised, Ahsan put his hands up to protect himself.

He said: ‘My hand’s come off. Most of my hand’s come off. That’s when I realised it was a knife.’

Mr Choudry said he went back inside the house, and his family went indoors.

He said: ‘I could see and hear what was going on but I couldn’t breathe really. I felt like I was going to go. I just started praying, thinking I’m going to die right now.’

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