London: Two British men were today jailed for a total of 43 years for the brutal murder of an Indian-origin mechanic in a carjacking case on a London street in 2011.
Harjinder Singh Bhurji, 32, bled to death at the side of a quiet residential street in east London after he refused to hand over the keys of his Mercedes and was stabbed by his assailants who then sped away with the car and his iPhone.
Rory Gordon was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years for the murder and Jae-don Fearon was sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter at the Old Bailey court here.
A third man, Andre Campbell, was given a one-year suspended sentence for handling stolen goods after selling the victim`s cellphone.
According to an `Evening Standard` report, Bhurji had been sitting in his car when the assailants struck in September, 2011.
Gordon demanded he hand over the keys before pulling a knife and stabbing him in the chest.
The vehicle then drove away and Bhurji`s mobile phone was sold within hours of the attack, police said.
Gordon, and his accomplice Fearon, were traced after police linked them to previous car thefts.
Detective Inspector Andy Yeats, from Scotland Yard`s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said, "Mr Bhurji was a loving son and brother who had everything to live for. He was a successful businessman and worked hard to provide for his family".
"Gordon and Fearon have no concept of hard work. They spotted Mr Bhurji`s car and decided they would take it by force without a single thought for the devastating consequences. Mr Bhurji was stabbed through the heart without any chance of defending himself."
In an impact statement in court, the victim`s family said, "Raj Bhurji was a humble and reserved character. He enjoyed life and loved to travel. He had a close group of friends and he cared deeply for his loved ones. No family should have to experience the pain of losing a loved one in this way".
