‘NONE of them have ever shown any remorse or taken any responsibility’ for the ‘tragic’ and ‘needless’ murder of Raheem Hanif. 

That’s the message from the senior police officer who investigated the shocking attack that resulted in the death of 26-year-old Raheem in February 2021. 

Detective Superintendent Stuart Bosley spoke after the Tilehurst man’s killers were handed prison sentenced totalling 50 years

Following a ten-week trial that concluded in January, the killers were sentenced as follows: 

  • Abas Khan, aged 24, of Helmsdale Road, Reading, was sentenced to life in prison to serve a minimum of 26 years in custody for murder and grievous bodily harm without intent.
  • Kamran Chowdhary, 18, of Carey Street, Reading, was sentenced to life in prison to serve a minimum of 14 years in custody for murder, possession of a knife and GBH without intent.
  • Humzah Sikander, 18, of Brunel Road, Reading, was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter and GBH without intent. 
  • Shekuh Conteh, 17, formerly of Frilsham Road, was sentenced to four years in prison for manslaughter and GBH without intent.

The grievous bodily harm convictions relate to an attack on Raheem’s father Abdul, who suffered a broken arm as part of the ambush.

READ MORE: Everything the judge said to Raheem Hanif's killers

At approximately 6.55 pm on Saturday, February 6 last year, a transit van was driven into the car park of a residential address in Dulnan Close, Tilehurst, close to where Raheem lived.

The van was driven by Abdul Hanif, who was 47-years-old at the time, and in the passenger seat was his son, Raheem, who was 26-years-old.

The van was followed into the car park by a Range Rover Evoque, which circled the car park until it drove into the front of Mr Hanif’s van several times.

Several people got out of the Range Rover carrying weapons, including baseball bats and large knives, and these weapons were used to attack the body of the van.

READ MORE: Face of 18-year-old who stabbed Raheem Hanif revealed for the first time

During this initial attack, the driver’s side window was broken and Abdul Hanif was struck, causing a broken arm.

Mr Hanif’s son, Raheem, was stabbed in the chest through the window of the van and died as a result of this injury.

Khan and Chowdhary were proven to have carried out this attack in a joint enterprise, alongside Sikander and the other 17-year-old boy.

The attack had arisen as a result of a love rivalry between Raheem Hanif and Abas Khan. 

This led to Kamran Chowdhary becoming involved in the feud, Reading Crown Court heard at the start of the trial in November 2021. 

A series of previous incidents had occurred before the murder, one of which was on the day before Raheem’s murder on 5 February in Oxford Road, Reading.

READ MORE: Family pay tribute to beloved son Raheem Hanif

There was a fight between Raheem and Chowdhary, which was captured on phone and street cameras and witnessed by several members of the public.

Following this fight, Raheem received treatment in hospital for a small wound to his nose.

Later the same afternoon, Raheem’s car was parked near his address in Dulnan Close and while in the car park, his vehicle was attacked, with all the windows being smashed and tyres slashed.

These incidents were proven to be a forerunner to the incident on 6 February which resulted in Raheem’s death.

Sentencing the four men, Her Honour Judge Norton said: "Each of you jointly participated in the group attack.

"You then used the weapons you had taken with you to attack the van."

The judge said had 'no hesitation' rejecting the explanations of Chowdhary and Sikander, who claimed to have got out of the car because they were scared.

"You were in that car park for a reason, and that reason was to use violence.  

"It was not the Hanifs who were the aggressors, it was you.

"You used the weapons you had to strike the van.  

"With the van unable to move, Abdul and Raheem Hanif were literally sitting targets unable to do anything to defend themselves from the attack that followed."

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Stuart Bosley, said: “This needless and tragic murder occurred amidst a background of animosity between Raheem and the defendants who were convicted.

“There had been a number of incidents leading up to the evening of 6 February, and the day before, Raheem had been involved in a fight with one of the defendants.

“The murder of Raheem on 6 February was retribution for this ongoing animosity, and the violence that met him that night was completely unjustified.

“Raheem’s father also suffered a serious injury, and had the terrible ordeal of seeing his son being stabbed in front of him.

READ MORE: Raheem Hanif murderers showed 'no remorse'

“None of the defendants have ever shown any remorse or taken any responsibility for Raheem’s death, and I am pleased that a jury has seen through their accounts to convict Khan and Chowdhary of murder.

“Sikander and the other 17-year-old boy were acquitted of murder, but were found guilty of manslaughter.

“Arriving with weapons that night, it was very clear that Khan and Chowdhary intended to cause at the very least, really serious harm to Raheem, in this horrific joint enterprise attack.

“Although not all four would have inflicted the fatal wound to Raheem, we were able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that all four were involved in the attack in some capacity, and, in the case of Khan and Chowdhary, arrived at the scene intent on causing really serious harm.

“This is yet another example of the very real dangers of carrying weapons, particularly knives.

“If you carry a knife, you put yourself in danger of either using it yourself, or it being used against you.

“Carrying a knife can never be justified in any circumstance, and we will continue to pursue those who look to do so and bring offenders to justice.

“I would like to pay tribute to Raheem’s family and friends for their dignity and courage throughout the course of this investigation.

“Raheem’s father, Abdul, suffered a significant injury himself during this incident, but his evidence and account of what happened and his support of our investigation has helped us bring his son’s killers to justice.

“All four defendants will now serve very lengthy prison sentences, and although I know that no sentence will bring solace to Raheem’s family and friends, I hope that they will be able to move on with their lives in the knowledge that justice has been served.

“I would like to close by extending my sincere condolences on behalf of Thames Valley Police to Raheem’s family and friends for their loss.”