Benjamin Morse hit-and-run: Driver jailed for life for killing Arsenal fan in cold blood
The driver who deliberately mowed down and murdered Benjamin Morse in a late-night hit-and-run has been jailed for a minimum of 15 years.
Nidal Alboraiki drove his Vauxhall Corsa at a group including Mr Morse following an unexplained exchange.
After first missing, he turned his car around and accelerated again, striking the 36-year-old victim from behind and catapulting him onto his windscreen causing a fatal brain injury.
The 21-year-old driver later tried to dispose of the car in a bid to cover his tracks.
Benjamin Morse's family pay tribute to the avid Arsenal fan
But yesterday he was found guilty of murder following a two-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Today, at the same court, he was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years.
Judge John Burbidge QC, said: “You were not in jeopardy and you could have driven comfortably away.
“Instead you revved the car and drove in a manner that disturbed many people who lived in the area.
“It seems you accelerated as fast as the car would go in that short space of time and went seemingly flat out into the group of lads.”
He added: “You drove off not showing an ounce of common decency to assist.”
Yesterday a jury also found the killer guilty of seeking to pervert the course of justice.
And Alboraiki's 19-year-old brother, Ahmed, was found guilty of the same charge after he disposed of a mobile phone handed to him by his brother during his arrest. He was jailed for a total of 14 months.
The murder took place in Beach Street, Halesowen, in the early hours of May 1.
Mr Morse, of Yewtree Road, Halesowen, and his friends had just been dropped off by a taxi in Bloomfield Street North when they encountered Alboraiki.
The group had spent the day drinking in Birmingham and Halesowen.
Detective Inspector Ian Wilkins, from West Midlands Police, said: “Alboraiki’s intention was to hit the group with his car so much so that after missing the first time he turned his car around in a second attempt. Sadly Ben didn’t have time to move out of the way and was hit within seconds of the car turning around.
“Witnesses describe seeing the vehicle driving aggressively at the group and had no intention of stopping.
“Nidal Alboraiki then callously left the scene knowing he had seriously injured someone and went to great lengths to cover his tracks.
“Ahmed Alboraiki hindered the investigation by disposing of evidence on behalf of his brother, knowing he had killed an innocent man.
“Our thoughts remain with Ben’s family at this time and we hope that today’s verdict will provide some help in their grieving process."
