Full Breakdown
Accused Sentenced to Life for Driving Into and Killing Matthew Weller
By Drooid · · How we work
Murder Conviction and Sentencing
On the night of April 22, 44-year-old Matthew Weller was struck by a Volkswagen Passat in Accrington town centre just after 22:00 BST. The driver, 23-year-old Muhammad Haarith of Exchange Street, was found guilty of murder by a majority verdict at Preston Crown Court. The court heard that Haarith deliberately accelerated into Weller after an angry confrontation on Blackburn Road, fled the scene, and then took “calculated” steps to conceal his actions, including destroying his phone and hiding the vehicle. Weller was dragged under the car and run over by both the front and rear wheels before dying from his injuries. Haarith received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years and five days.
Trial Details and Evidence
Jurors observed CCTV footage showing Haarith braking briefly before driving off while Weller remained on the bonnet. Testimony described Weller shouting at Haarith and his friends, pulling down his trousers, and sitting on the car’s bonnet before the fatal impact. The prosecution argued the act was intentional, while Haarith had previously admitted manslaughter but denied murder.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge Robert Altham characterized Weller’s death as “terrifying, agonising and wholly avoidable,” emphasizing the victim’s vulnerabilities. Following the sentencing, Weller’s family said he had lost his life in a “violent and undignified way” because of Haarith’s decisions that night.
Data & Statistics
Impact and Community Reaction
The case highlights the severe legal consequences for deliberately using a vehicle as a weapon. The family’s remarks underscore the community’s perception of the killing as an avoidable act of violence, reinforcing calls for accountability in similar assaults.