Getaway driver jailed after teen violently attacked

A man has been jailed for more than 10 years after a violent attack left a teenager with life-changing injuries.

Mohammed Hamid, 50, previously from Luton, was found to be the getaway driver in what was a pre-planned attack.

The victim, who was 17 at the time, was found lying injured on New Bedford Road, Luton, on 2 June 2022. He sustained life-changing injuries.

Det Sgt Thomas Hamm, who led the investigation for Bedfordshire Police, said: "This was a shocking and ruthless attack on a teenager, carried out with clear planning and intent."

Hamid, who was already in prison for an unrelated matter, was found guilty at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday and sentenced to 10 years and nine months after being found guilty of conspiracy to cause GBH with intent.

Police originally believed the incident was a hit-and-run, but it was later confirmed that the victim suffered a traumatic brain injury and no other injuries, which was not consistent with a collision.

CCTV later showed the victim being pursued by men wielding baseball bats under a bridge at the scene where he was attacked out of sight of cameras.

Hamid, who was identified as the driver of the vehicle that carried the assailants, later drove them away from the scene before dumping the car in the Farley Hill area of Luton.

Following the sentencing, Bedfordshire Police said: "We hope today's conviction offers some reassurance to the victim's loved ones, and to our community, that we will relentlessly pursue those who commit such calculated acts of violence."

They added: "Despite an extensive investigation, the four masked men [behind the attack] remain unknown to us. On behalf of the victim, I would urge anyone that recalls anything from that time, or believes they may have information about the attack, to get in touch immediately."

A woman from Bedford was also charged with conspiracy to commit GBH but was found not guilty on 4 February.

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