Imran Hussain, 39, has been jailed after ramming his Audi into a cyclist, pinning him against a parked van, and then directing a passenger to stab the victim in a 'deliberate and targeted attack' in Bolton.
Bolton Crown Court heard that Hussain 'sped up' and drove into the man as he cycled home from his girlfriend's house in June last year. The impact pressed the rider against a parked van. As the victim screamed for help, Hussain got out of his car and began punching him in the head.
Hussain then called out to his passenger to 'stab him' before the accomplice 'sliced' at the cyclist with a small blade, the court was told. The accomplice has not been found.
Attack in Breightmet
The victim left his partner's home at around midnight on June 25 and was cycling to the shops when he reached the junction of Goldrill Avenue and Deepdale Road in Breightmet, Bolton. The men were known to one another, but the victim 'could see no reason why' he was attacked.
Judge Nicholas Clarke KC told Hussain: "Unfortunately he came across you. For whatever reason, it's not clear to me, in a concerning attack, you deliberately targeted him whilst he was on that bike. You deliberately steered the vehicle into Goldrill Avenue and at the unfortunate [victim]."
The Recorder of Bolton said Hussain changed direction and 'rammed' into the cyclist. Trapped between the Audi and the van, the victim was repeatedly and forcefully punched in the head in an 'extremely aggressive manner'.
Stabbing and sentencing
"In addition you called to your front seat passenger to 'stab him, stab him'," Judge Clarke KC continued. "He was, at that stage, dazed by the punches and sees a young man come up to him and start to attack him from the rear. This other person was directed by you to stab him."
Hussain fled, leaving the man on the floor in agony. When the defendant was arrested, police found a pocket knife with the victim's blood on the blade. The victim was left with two broken leg bones, cuts to his head and a partially-severed toe.
Hussain pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and section 18 wounding with intent. He has 27 previous offences on his record, including for violence, dangerous driving and drug offences.
Jailing him, the judge said: "This was a prolonged and persistent assault." Hussain, of Greenhill Road, Bury, was also banned from driving for four-and-a-half years.
