Callum Howe, 23, has been jailed for 16 years for killing his best friend Shaan Ali Rasul in a 'savage' axe attack. Howe struck Mr Rasul a dozen times to the head and face with an axe at his flat on Allerton Close in Hartlepool.
Guilty of manslaughter
A jury at Teesside Crown Court cleared Howe of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter. The court heard that Howe was under the influence of cocaine and pregabalin when he attacked Mr Rasul on November 23 last year. The judge described the attack as 'frenzied, brutal'. Blood splatters on the wall indicated that Howe stood over Mr Rasul during the assault.
Aftermath of the attack
Following the attack, Howe jumped out of his bedroom window and banged into cars. A neighbour who came to help saw him covered in blood and described him as 'in a state, with his eyes popping out'. Howe then began banging his head against a shed and became aggressive towards paramedics, requiring restraint. He did not inform any medics about the attack on Mr Rasul, who was left lying on the bedroom floor.
Fatal injuries
The court in Middlesbrough heard that Mr Rasul suffered catastrophic head injuries. Home Office pathologist Dr Louise Mulcahy determined that he died from blunt force trauma to the head, which caused unconsciousness, respiratory compromise, and death. Police entered Howe's flat at 11.30am and found Mr Rasul 'likely already dead'.
Victim impact statement
A statement from Mr Rasul's sister, Neena, was read in court. She said that Shaan was seven or eight when the five siblings were adopted together, adding: 'We depended on each other. Shaan had the biggest heart. He was the type of person who would help anyone.' Addressing Howe, she said: 'You did not just take one life. You destroyed an entire family.'
Sentence
Howe's barrister, Nick Lumley KC, said Howe 'is distraught about what happened' and that it was 'wholly out of character'. Judge Francis Laird noted that he could not say 'with certainty' who started the violence, but stated: 'It's possible that Shaan Rasul began the violence. I am quite sure that he did not attack you with the hatchet. The attack was brutal. It was savage and Shaan Rasul did not stand a chance.'
The judge imposed an extended sentence, finding that Howe poses a 'significant risk of serious harm' in the future. Howe was jailed for 16 years and will spend five years on extended licence upon release. He must serve at least two-thirds of the 16 years before the parole board considers his release.
