A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison following a brutal assault on a former friend in Derby. Abdusalam Hassan attacked his victim with a metal dumbbell bar, striking his head 31 times on Burton Road.
The victim was left severely battered and bleeding, lying in the street as cars swerved to avoid hitting him. Emergency services rushed the critically injured man to hospital where he was treated for life-threatening brain injuries.
At Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court, the judge revealed the victim now faces a lifetime of pain and severe cognitive damage. The victim will require round-the-clock care due to severe brain injuries, permanent disabilities, mobility problems, chronic pain, significant memory loss, and emotional trauma.
The victim’s family expressed their heartbreak, stating, “This attack has not only destroyed his life, but shattered our family’s future.”
The presiding judge condemned Hassan’s actions as “a sustained and ferocious act of violence, driven by personal animosity, and executed without mercy.” The court heard how Hassan left the victim to die in the road.
Despite Hassan denying attempted murder and claiming he had no intent to kill, the jury found him guilty unanimously. Forensic evidence and CCTV footage were key in securing the conviction.
Hassan will serve 28 years in prison, followed by an extended licence period to ensure public safety upon release. Derbyshire Police praised the sentence as a strong warning against extreme violence.
A police spokesperson said, “This was one of the most violent assaults we’ve encountered in recent years. Our thoughts remain with the victim and his family, who have shown immense courage throughout this process.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
