Four Sentenced for Brutal Killing of Taxi Passenger

Four individuals have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the "cruel and appalling" murder of a man who was stabbed through the window of a cab in East London.

Anselam Senaj, who was 26 years old, died after the taxi he was riding in was abruptly halted by a silver Mitsubishi in Newham on November 11, 2023.

Mohammad Saqib Khan, aged 24 and hailing from Enfield, was convicted of murder after being identified as the one who dealt the lethal blow. The court at Old Bailey heard this information. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 26 years behind bars.

Muhammad Samiyul Miah received a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for murder. Zain Ali was sentenced to 14 years in prison for manslaughter, and Ibrahim Naim was handed a 10-year and six-month jail term also for manslaughter.

When sentencing them, Judge Judy Khan KC characterized the killing as a "cold and appalling assault" carried out in an open public space, indicating that it was "well-thought-out and pre-planned."

Before his taxi was halted on Victoria Avenue and he was fatally assaulted, Mr. Senaj reportedly stated, “There’s another vehicle following us—they’re going to murder me,” as reported to the court.

Three out of the six people inside the Mitsubishi encircled the taxi and assaulted the victim, who was still seated.

The assailants, dressed in dark clothing and sporting masks along with gloves, brandished knives measuring up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) in length, as the jury was informed.

Before fleeing in their Mitsubishi, one of the assailants stabbed Mr. Senaj in the chest.

Mr. Senaj passed away at the location even though emergency responders tried their best.

The vehicle, having been taken without permission, was discovered the following day completely charred.

The court learned that the motivation behind the assault stemmed from drug-related issues, even though precise motives remained hazy.

Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC informed the jury: "Subsequent searches revealed drugs on Mr. Senaj, along with messages retrieved from his phone indicating involvement in drug trafficking."

When Mr. Senaj noticed the Mitsubishi approaching him, he immediately realized he was in peril and informed the taxi driver that the people inside would harm him.

Painfully, he was completely correct in gauging their level of interest.

On Friday at the hearing, the victim's cousin Elira Senaj criticized the perpetrators, stating: "You will forever remain cowards and mere boys."

Your mission required numerical data and armaments. You battled as though you were still a boy when the circumstances should have been fair for both sides.

Miah, who is 19 years old and hails from Manor Park, also pleaded guilty to possessing a knife. His sentencing took into account an additional conviction for raping a 15-year-old girl in a north London park back in March 2023.

Ali, who is 22 years old, and Naim, 18, both residents of East Ham, were acquitted of murder charges but found guilty of the less serious offense of manslaughter.

Ali was additionally tasked with seizing the victim's telephone.

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Related internet links

  • UK Courts and Tribunal Service