Telford killing case jail terms praised by detective

Ismaaeel Rehman developed epilepsy as a result of the 'brutal' beating he suffered at the hands of Jason Noto, armed with a wooden pole, and Robert Jones, wielding a baseball bat, in Telford in July 2009.

Mr Rehman, from Dudley, had travelled to drug dealer Noto's flat in Powis Place, Dawley Bank, in a van with a gang of armed men to rob him of his cannabis and cash.

But the other men fled and left Mr Rehman to take a severe beating at the hands of the two men – leaving him with a fractured skull, bleeding to the brain, a fractured cheekbone and severe bruising to his body.

Mr Rehman died on New Year's Day last year after suffering a massive epileptic seizure – nearly 18 months after the attack in Telford.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court cleared Noto, 24, of Powis Place, and Jones, also 24, of Webb Crescent, Dawley, of murder following a two-and-a-half week trial but did return majority verdicts of guilty to manslaughter on both counts.

The pair were both sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison by Judge Mrs Justice Kate Thirlwall at court yesterday, who ruled the violence was 'gratuitous' and went 'far beyond self defence'.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, of West Mercia Police, said he was satisfied with the convictions. He said: "It was an unusual case and I am pleased that both men will now serve significant custodial sentences.

"The assault in July 2009 was a brutal one and it is pleasing that the jury have found that this was linked to Mr Rehman's death 18 months later.

"This was a complicated, lengthy investigation and I'd like to pay tribute to Mr Rehman's family for the dignity and patience they have shown through the lengthy criminal justice process.

"They have behaved impeccably throughout and been very supportive of our inquiry. I'd also like to thank all those people who came forward with information that helped us convict these men."