Car Thief jailed for Fatally Running Over Cyclist in Targeted Attack

Shazeb Khalid has received a life sentence for fatally running over a cyclist in a targeted attack.

Reading Crown Court heard that at around 11:50 pm on February 14, 2024, Vignesh Pattabi Raman was found in Addington Road after a road traffic collision between a cyclist and a vehicle.

Mr Raman was declared deceased at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and a murder investigation was launched.

A post-mortem examination determined that Mr Raman died as a result of a head injury.

Khalid was arrested on February 19 and charged the following day.

Soiheem Hussian was arrested on February 28 and charged the next day.

During an investigation, it was found that Mr Raman was the manager of the Vel Indian restaurant in Reading town centre.

Khalid targeted the victim as part of a “mission” to stop him from reporting alleged immigration infractions at the restaurant.

Mr Raman was cycling home after Valentine’s Day dinner service when he was run over by a stolen Range Rover.

As he lay injured on the ground, he was attacked by the driver.

During the trial opening, prosecutor Sally Howes said:

“The fatal collision between the vehicle, which turned out to be a Range Rover Evoque, and Vignesh Raman on his bicycle, was not an unfortunate accident.

“This was a well-planned, well-coordinated, deliberate, targeted attack in which Shazeb Khalid and Soiheem Hussain both played a part and both are guilty of the murder of Vignesh Raman.”

Following the trial, Khalid was found guilty of one count of murder.

Hussain was found guilty of assisting an offender. He was found not guilty of murder.

Khalid’s ex-girlfriend Mya Reilly was found not guilty of assisting an offender.

Khalid was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years.

Hussain was jailed for four years.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin, of the Major Crime Unit, said:

“I am pleased with the lengthy sentence handed to Khalid in particular.”

“It reflects the truly sickening nature of his actions.

“Vignesh was a kind, gentle man who moved to the UK on the promise of a job providing opportunity and hope for him and his wife, Ramya.

“He was killed on a misguided belief that he was responsible for instigating an investigation into the Vel restaurant employing illegal immigrants.

“Ramya’s life was shattered when her husband’s life was taken and Vignesh’s wider family and friends were similarly devastated.”

“I can only hope that the sentences passed today provide some relief for Vignesh’s family.”