Elland man jailed for Billy Khan murder
A 40-YEAR-OLD man who knifed to death a new father during a street fight in Elland last summer has been jailed for life.
After three days of deliberation After three days of deliberation, a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday convicted Miftah Ul Haq of murdering 33-year-old Billy Khan during a late afternoon disturbance in the Langdale Street area of the town last August.
The dead man’s partner Karen Nelson, 37, had given birth to the couple’s baby daughter just 10 weeks before the killing.
Mr Khan’s death was the second tragedy to hit her. Back in 1986 her 24-year-old brother Andrew had died following a fight in the Chapeltown area of Leeds.
Det Supt Andy Brennan, who led the inquiry, said: "The death of Billy Khan has left a child without a father.
"Billy’s brother Yusuf Khan also came close to losing his life.
"This incident should not have happened and those who have now either pleaded guilty or been found guilty will pay the price for using knives.
"Although knife crime in Calderdale and throughout West Yorkshire remains relatively low, this case demonstrates what can happen on just one occasion if people either carry or use a knife".
At the start of Ul-Haq’s trial in April the jury heard how there had been ill-feeling between Billy Khan and the family of Ul-Haq’s brother, Mohammed Farooq, who lived in Langdale Street.
Last month Mohammed Farooq and his son Kayshan were both cleared of murder on the directions of the judge, but Kayshan is still to be sentenced for the attempted murder of Mr Khan's brother Yusuf who was also stabbed during the violence.
The trial jury heard that almost two years before his death, Billy Khan had been stabbed during an incident in the same location, but no-one had been prosecuted.
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