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Life for the murder of Neil Comins
06/09/2024
Janaed Akhtar was found guilty of murder by a unanimous jury verdict on July 16
A man who brutally attacked and killed another man in Banbury has been jailed for life for murder.
Forty year old Janaed Saeed Akhtar, who’s formerly of Cope Road, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict on July 16 of one count of murder and one count of perverting the course of justice, following a three-week trial at Oxford Crown Court.
Back at court today Akhtar was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years. He was also sentenced to five years and six months in prison for perverting the course of justice. This will run concurrently.
During the trial the court heard that in the early hours of Wednesday January 3 this year, Neil Comins, who was 39, was attacked by Akhtar who hit him in the head with a baseball bat and stabbed him to the right side of his neck. Akhtar then called 999 himself.
Mr Comins underwent surgery for a head injury, but sadly, he died in hospital. A post-mortem examination ascertained that he had died as a result of a traumatic head injury.
After killing Mr Comins, Akhtar attempted to implicate two innocent people, who were co-residents at the property where he lived. The false allegations led officers away from him as a suspect and resulted in two people being arrested for an offence they did not commit.
However, DNA evidence was found on the baseball bat that belonged to Akhtar and Mr Comins’ blood was found on a trainer belonging to Akhtar, who was charged with murder on 10 January.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Mike Roddy, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “The conclusion of this case sees Akhtar jailed for life for the violent murder of Mr Comins.
“The attack was completely needless, and whatever the motives, it was clear that Akhtar intended to cause Mr Comins very serious harm that night.
“The fact that Akhtar then made completely false allegations against co-residents shows the complete lack of remorse he has shown throughout. He cared for nobody other than himself and still denies any involvement, despite the weight of DNA evidence against him.
“Mr Comins’ family have had to endure a harrowing investigation while we brought Akhtar to account for his actions.
“They have been remarkably dignified throughout the course of the last nine months, and my thoughts remain with them all.
“Akhtar will now serve a very lengthy prison sentence, and although I know that no court outcome will come as solace for Mr Comins’ family, I do hope that this outcome will, at least, offer a small measure of closure for them as they look to the future without Mr Comins in their lives.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam