London: Killer of gay man has sentence reduced
A double killer from west London, who murdered a gay pensioner, has had his prison sentence reduced by the Court of Appeal after it was deemed to be excessive.
Mohamed Khaleel fatally cut the throat of 67-year-old Michael Zubrot at the victim’s home in Perivale, north west London, in August 2010.
Khaleel had been staying at a probation hostel in Ealing, after serving eight years in jail for killing his friend, David Sheehan, in 2003.
During the trial at Southwark Crown Court, it was revealed that Khaleel, who befriended Mr Zubrot, was obsessed with the occult and was a vampire and horror fan.
The court heard that, in both cases, Khaleel had cut his victim’s throat, leaving them to bleed to death.
Khaleel was convicted of Mr Zubrot’s murder and sentenced to at least 33 years imprisonment in December of last year.
However, the Ealing Gazette has revealed that the sentence was overturned at the Court of Appeal, earlier this month, meaning that Khaleel will be eligible for parole in 28 years.
Lord Chief Justice, Lord Igor Judge said: “Setting this consideration against all remaining features of this particular offence, the minimum period of 33 years was too long and should be replaced.”
Khaleel will only be freed if the Parole Board is satisfied he is no longer a risk after serving his term.
