Stepson who stabbed Chadwell Heath Imam to death has appeal dismissed

Moynul Haque, 18, was locked up for five years at Wood Green Crown Court in April, after he admitted the manslaughter of 43-year-old Mohammed Zillur-Rahman - an Imam at Chadwell Heath Educational and Cultural Society in Grove Road.

Today, he challenged his sentence at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, with his lawyers arguing it was “too long”.

They said the crown court judge treated Haque more harshly than he should have done, as the weapon was not taken to the scene of the crime and it was not used in a public place.

They said the crown court judge also didn’t take enough account of his personal circumstances, his admission of guilt and his positive good character.

But, dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Davis said the use of a knife will always be an “aggravating factor” which the courts must take into account.

The court heard Haque, of Bedfont Road, Feltham, south west London, fatally wounded Mr Zillur-Rahman after a row broke out at the family home in Barking last October.

Haque moved a television into his bedroom and his stepfather lashed out at him with a curtain pole in the ensuing argument.

The teenager picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed the victim once through the heart. He admitted manslaughter on the grounds of provocation.

Lord Justice Davis, sitting with Mr Justice Foskett and Mr Justice Sweeney, concluded: “This was a serious case of its kind, tragic though it has been in the family context.

“We acknowledge that this was a severe sentence, but we are not persuaded that it can be said to be manifestly excessive.”