Ben Hope and Jason Richards, the killers of Cardiff A-Level student Aamir Siddiqi, have each received a life sentence in jail. The judge at Cardiff Crown Court told them they must each serve a minimum term of 40 years.
Two hitmen found guilty of killing a seventeen year old schoolboy by mistake have been told they will spend at least forty years each in jail
Jason Richards and Ben Hope had been paid to kill a man in a row over a collapsed property deal.
Instead, they called on the wrong house in the wrong street and murdered Aamir Siddiqi as he waitied for a koran lesson, then attacked his parents.
Our Correspondent Joanna Simpson reports.
The two men convicted of murdering Aamir Siddiqi have been sentenced to life in prison each with a minimum of 40 years.
Hitmen Jason Richards and Ben Hope were found guilty of stabbing 17-year-old Aamir to death on his doorstep in Roath in Cardiff after getting the wrong house.
Joanna Simpson reports.
Am amazed and humbled by the kindness, love and support shown to my family and me in the aftermath of Aamir's murder. I will never forget.
From @nishat76 on Twitter:– MR JUSTICE ROYCEAamir Siddiqi was the youngest child and only son. He was a bright, gentle and courteous boy. Much loved by all his family. He was destined for a special place in society.
On 11th April 2010 you two came in wearing balaclavas and glovesmaking a terrible howling sound.
The attack on him was brutal, savage and cruel. Your concern was not this fine family.
Your concern was to get your money. You wanted your blood money. In my view it was £1000 each. What a pittance for a human life'.
– MR JUSTICE ROYCEHis father speaks of Aamir's warmth and respect. How Aamir used to rest his head on his shoulder and tell him about his day. He tells how their lives have become blank and void.
His mother says the scars on her own body have healed but inside she is raw. She says they are afraid of answering the doorbell.His sisters speak in the most moving terms.
"The brutal beating of our beloved Aamir took the beating heart out our family. As the worldmoves on we are left feeling bereft of his love."
The judge described the complexity of the police investigation. He said of the 11 people mentioned to him "all of those officers in my judgement deserve a commendation".
– Mr Justice RoyceYou are both dangerous men and you may never be released. If you die in jail few would shed a tear and many would say it would be no more than you deserve'
Ben Hope and Jason Richards, the killers of Cardiff A-Level student Aamir Siddiqi, have each received a life sentence in jail.
The judge at Swansea Crown Court told them they must each serve a minimum term of 40 years.
The two men convicted of murdering Aamir Siddiqi will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court this morning.
Jason Richards, 38 and Ben Hope, 39, were found guilty of stabbing the 17-year-old A-Level student to death on his doorstep in Roath, Cardiff, and attempting to murder his parents in April 2010.