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15/05/2008
Brothers Sentenced To Life For 'Car Theft' Murder
Two brothers found guilty of killing a man as he tried to stop them stealing his car radio, have been sentenced to life behind bars.
Balbir Matharu, 54, stood in the way of the brothers as they tried to make a getaway after smashing the window of his van, in Stratford, in January 2006.
When Mr Matharu failed to get out of the way, he was dragged for 40 metres before being run over by the men, resulting in his death.
Albert Willett, 26, and his brother Tommy, 24, reported to be drug addicts, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of Mr Matharu's murder.
Presiding over the case, Judge Moss ordered Tommy Willet to serve a minimum of 25 years and his brother Albert to serve a minimum of 27 years.
Judge Moss handing down sentencing said the brother were "a pair of career criminals and drug addicts" and said they had "made no contribution to society".
The brothers, who are believed to hold a string of previous convictions were described by police as "total low-life" who had "£150 a day heroin habits and had never worked a day in their lives".
Albert Willett, who was driving the car which killed Mr Matharu said that he "did not mean" to hurt him but that his brother had urged him to run him over.
The Willett brothers took their Ford Mondeo to a scrapyard to be crushed after the incident.
Mr Matharu's daughter Baljinder said in a statement that the pair had "showed nothing for [Mr Matharu] as a human being and complete disregard for his life".
She added that her family's worlds "will never be the same again".
It is reported that the brothers had boasted about their crime while in prison awaiting trial.
See: Brothers Found Guilty Of 'Car Theft' Murder
(DS)
Balbir Matharu, 54, stood in the way of the brothers as they tried to make a getaway after smashing the window of his van, in Stratford, in January 2006.
When Mr Matharu failed to get out of the way, he was dragged for 40 metres before being run over by the men, resulting in his death.
Albert Willett, 26, and his brother Tommy, 24, reported to be drug addicts, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of Mr Matharu's murder.
Presiding over the case, Judge Moss ordered Tommy Willet to serve a minimum of 25 years and his brother Albert to serve a minimum of 27 years.
Judge Moss handing down sentencing said the brother were "a pair of career criminals and drug addicts" and said they had "made no contribution to society".
The brothers, who are believed to hold a string of previous convictions were described by police as "total low-life" who had "£150 a day heroin habits and had never worked a day in their lives".
Albert Willett, who was driving the car which killed Mr Matharu said that he "did not mean" to hurt him but that his brother had urged him to run him over.
The Willett brothers took their Ford Mondeo to a scrapyard to be crushed after the incident.
Mr Matharu's daughter Baljinder said in a statement that the pair had "showed nothing for [Mr Matharu] as a human being and complete disregard for his life".
She added that her family's worlds "will never be the same again".
It is reported that the brothers had boasted about their crime while in prison awaiting trial.
See: Brothers Found Guilty Of 'Car Theft' Murder
(DS)
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Brothers Found Guilty Of 'Car Theft' Murder
Two brothers have been found guilty of killing a man in east London after attempting to steal his car radio. Fifty-four-year old Balbir Matharu tried to stop the men making a getaway - by standing in front of their car - after one of them smashed his van window, in Statford, in January 2006.
Brothers Found Guilty Of 'Car Theft' Murder
Two brothers have been found guilty of killing a man in east London after attempting to steal his car radio. Fifty-four-year old Balbir Matharu tried to stop the men making a getaway - by standing in front of their car - after one of them smashed his van window, in Statford, in January 2006.
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