The sentencing of three men - bringing the total to 11 convictions - has brought to a close the “complex” Luke O'Connell murder investigation.

Last Friday (October 21), the men who assisted one of the offenders in the original murder trial flee Watford were handed prison sentences after a two-week trial at Reading Crown Court.

The prosecutions, taking over three years, followed the fatal stabbing of Mr O'Connell after a three-vehicle crash in Gammons Lane, Watford, on August 31, 2019.

Read more:

The three men jailed last week for perverting the course of justice have joined eight others found guilty in relation to the death of Luke O’Connell.

  • Talha Chohan, aged 27, of Beech Road, Watford, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 28 months.
  • Omar Chohan, aged 28, of The Harebreaks, Watford, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 32 months.
  • Wasim Saddique, aged 34, of St George’s Road, Watford, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 32 months.

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins said: “Friday’s sentencing concluded the investigation into the sad death of Luke O’Connell.

“I’d like to again thank Luke’s family for their support during what has been a complex investigation from the outset.

“Delays to court proceedings, due to the pandemic, since Luke’s death in 2019 has made this incredibly difficult for them and the dignity they continued to show throughout is remarkable.

Watford Observer: Left to right: Omar Chohan, Wasim Saddique and Talha Chohan.Left to right: Omar Chohan, Wasim Saddique and Talha Chohan. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

“I hope the guilty verdicts for 11 individuals can bring them a sense of justice, although of course nothing will bring Luke back or ease the pain that they have felt since Luke’s life was so cruelly ended in such horrific circumstances.”

During a seven-week trial at Reading Crown Court last summer, the court heard Luke was a back-seat passenger of a VW Golf being driven by another man. The pair had an ongoing dispute with a group of men which came to a head.

A car chase ensued which resulted in a crash.

The group of men are said to have used weapons to attack the VW Golf and the men inside.

Watford Observer: Luke O'Connell was stabbed to death in Gammons Lane, WatfordLuke O'Connell was stabbed to death in Gammons Lane, Watford (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Luke was stabbed and suffered a wound to the chest which proved fatal. He was 26.

The second man was also assaulted and stabbed.

In September 2021, three other men were found guilty of murder, a further three men found guilty of manslaughter and one man guilty of perverting the course of justice. All were jailed.

Others convicted include (age when convicted):

  • Shahnavaz Azad, aged 29, from Watford was found guilty of murder and section 18 assault. He was sentenced to life with minimum 27 years, plus five years concurrent for the assault.
  • Hamza Azad, aged 24, of Nicholas Close, Watford was found guilty of murder and section 18 assault. He was sentenced to life with minimum 22 years, plus five years concurrent for the assault.
  • Aamir Mustafa, aged 24, of St Georges Road, Watford was found guilty of murder and section 18 assault. He was sentenced to life with minimum 22 years, plus five years concurrent for the assault.
  • Mohammed Haroon Azad, aged 23, of Nicholas Close, Watford was found guilty of manslaughter and section 20 assault. He was originally sentenced to nine years for manslaughter, plus two years concurrent for the assault, later increased to13 years for manslaughter and two years concurrent for assault.
  • Mohammed Hamza Shah, aged 21, of Hagden Lane, Watford was found guilty of manslaughter and section 20 assault. He was sentenced to nine years for manslaughter, plus two years concurrent for the assault, later increased to 12 years for manslaughter and two years concurrent for assault.
  • Umar Sarfraz, aged 23, of Whippendell Road, Watford was found guilty of manslaughter and section 20 assault. He was sentenced to nine years for manslaughter, plus two years concurrent for the assault, later increased to 12 years for manslaughter and two years concurrent for assault.
  • Mohammed Raja Azad, aged 50, of Nicholas Close, Watford was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 28 months.
  • Ella Layton-Hughes, now aged 22, from Brighton Road, Watford was sentenced to two years in custody having previously been found guilty of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.

Check out our Watford crime and court Facebook page here.