28/11/2013

Man Jailed For Vigilante Murder Of Wrongly Accused Neighbour

A 24-year-old has admitted murdering and setting on fire a disabled man he believed to have been a paedophile in a vigilante attack.

Lee James, of Capgrave Crescent, Brislington, murdered Bijan Ebrahimi by beating him to death before setting his body on fire in July.

He was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to serve a minimum term of 18 years.

The court heard that three days prior to his murder Mr Ebrahimi had been arrested in connection with complaints that he had been taking pictures of children. However, having search his camera, computer and videos officers found nothing suspicious and he was released.

25-year-old Stephen Norley was also jailed for four years after admitting to assisting an offender.

The court heard that Norley had helped James move Mr Ebrahimi's body and assisted in setting it alight.

(MH/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 November 2004
Punishment for murder should reflect the crime: Blunkett
Home Secretary David Blunkett has today re-stated his commitment to upholding new principles for setting murder tariffs to ensure those convicted of murder receive a punishment that reflects the unique nature and seriousness of the crime.
07 August 2008
Five Arrested Over Attempted Murder
Police have made five arrests over an alleged attempted murder that occurred after a funeral. A man suffered head injuries when he was assaulted in the High Street in Newmarket, Suffolk, on 4 June. Two men and a teenage boy have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
04 June 2014
Three Further Arrests Over Dorset Nurse Murder
Three women have been arrested and accused of assisting an offender over the murder of the Dorset nurse Rui Li, whose body was found in a car in Bournemouth on Friday. The three women from Bournemouth and aged 25, 28 and 65, were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.
12 April 2011
Gang Members Jailed Over Teenage Girl's Murder
Two gang members have been sentenced to life for the murder of a 16-year-old girl in London. Two further juveniles have been convicted of firearms offences and assisting those involved in the murder. Agnes Sina-Inakoju died two days after the shooting on 14 April 2010 at Hoxton Chicken and Pizza in Hoxton Street, north London.
14 January 2009
Ninth Person Arrested Over Post Office Death
Police investigating the death of a sub-postmaster's son during an armed raid have arrested a ninth person. Police confirmed four people were arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Another four people were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, West Mercia Police said.