A man of Pakistani origin has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of an Indian restaurant manager in the UK

A 25-year-old man of Pakistani origin has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of an Indian restaurant manager, who died in a road collision with a car as he cycled home in Reading, southeast England, on Valentine’s Day this year.

Shazeb Khalid was found guilty of the murder of 36-year-old Vignesh Pattabhiraman last month after a trial at Reading Crown Court and was sentenced by the same court earlier this week. Thames Valley Police, who investigated the murder, condemned the disgusting nature of Khalid’s actions, which stemmed from a misunderstanding.

“I am particularly pleased with the long sentence handed down to Khalid. It reflects the truly disgusting nature of his actions,” said Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin, senior investigating officer of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit.

“Vignesh was a kind gentleman who moved to the UK on the promise of a job that would provide opportunity and hope for him and his wife Ramya. He was murdered based on the mistaken belief that he was responsible for initiating an investigation into the Vel restaurant employing illegal immigrants,” he said.

“Ramya’s life was shattered when her husband’s life was taken, and Vignesh’s wider family and friends were similarly devastated. I can only hope that today’s verdicts will bring relief to Vignesh’s family,” he said.

On February 14, Vignesh Pattabhiraman was cycling home from his job at Vel Indian restaurant in Reading when he was discovered by police on Addington Road following reports of a road traffic collision. He was pronounced dead at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and a murder investigation was launched.

During the trial, the jury heard that an autopsy showed that Pattabhiraman died from head trauma following a collision with a vehicle.

Khalid was arrested on February 19 and charged with murder the next day. At an earlier hearing, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter, but a jury convicted him of murder.

Soiheem Hussain (27) and Mya Reilly (20), who were also arrested and charged in the case, appeared at the same trial. Hussain was found guilty of assisting an offender and sentenced to four years in prison. Reilly was found not guilty on the same charge.

Meanwhile, a Just Giving charity initiative set up online by Pattabhiraman’s friends and family to help with repatriation costs and support his grieving wife Ramya after the “senseless tragedy” has raised more than £52,500.

“Vignesh was a dedicated restaurant manager at Vel, where he put his heart and soul into his work, earning recognition for his exceptionally warm character, customer service and work ethic. “His dream of taking on a senior management position in the hospitality industry was within reach and an exciting opportunity awaited him at the Hyatt Regency Mayfair London,” reads an online tribute.

“Apart from his professional pursuits, Vignesh valued the time spent with his beloved wife Ramya and their shared aspirations for a bright future in the UK. This senseless tragedy shattered their dreams, leaving behind a void that cannot be filled,” he adds.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a news agency feed – PTI)