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Accrington man Muhammad Haarith guilty of murdering Matthew Weller
Overview
Muhammad Haarith has been convicted at Preston Crown Court of murdering 44-year-old Matthew Weller following a fatal collision in Accrington in April. Haarith had admitted manslaughter, but prosecutors proved he deliberately drove his car at Weller after an altercation.
Key points
- Muhammad Haarith, 23, was found guilty of murdering 44-year-old Matthew Weller by a majority verdict at Preston Crown Court.
- The incident occurred on 22 April after Weller shouted at the defendant and sat on the bonnet of his car on Blackburn Road.
- CCTV showed Haarith drove off with Weller on the bonnet, causing him to fall and be run over and dragged beneath the vehicle.
- Weller died from multiple injuries at Royal Blackburn Hospital in the early hours of 23 April.
- Haarith fled the scene, destroyed his phone to avoid police tracking, and later handed himself in at a police station.
- Haarith is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday 19 October.