Seafront murder: Iftekhar Khondaker 'deeply flawed'

Iftekhar Khondaker mowed down Suel Delgado, Azaan Khan and Kakir Khan in Marine Parade, Brighton.

The road rage thug from Mitcham drove his father’s BMW into the three men, leaving 20-year-old Suel dead and the other two with horrific injuries.

He was jailed for life for murder and two counts of attempted murder by Her Honour Judge Christine Laing QC at Hove Crown Court.

Itekhar Khondaker was found guilty of the murder of Suel Delgado on Brighton seafront in December 2019.

The judge said she was “deeply concerned” about the fact that Khondaker had only just been released from prison for driving a car at a man, dislocating his ankle.

In her judgement she said: “Suel Delgado is dead and the lives of Azaan and Zak have been altered for ever because of Iftekhar Khondaker’s utter inability to control his violent temper.

“It beggars belief that he had been released from prison on licence just four months before for the use of a car as a weapon to deliberately cause serious injury.

The scene in Brighton after the incident in Marine Parade where Suel Delgado was killed in a suspected hit and run

“He was on bail, awaiting sentence having punched and kicked a man in a nightclub, breaking the victim’s jaw.

“It is deeply concerning to this court that he appears to have learned absolutely nothing from his lengthy prison sentences that he has already served.

“It seems there is a deep flaw in his psychological makeup.”

The scene in Brighton seafront after Suel Delgado, Azaan Khan and Raja Zakir Khan were struck by a vehicle in Brighton seafront

Previously the court heard how survivors Azaan Khan and Zakir Khan were left with life-changing injuries. Azaan had been in a coma for 25 days after the crash.

Read more on this story:

• Timeline of tragedy - How did the seafront hit and run murder unfold?
• Murderer Iftekhar Khondaker jailed for life
• The criminal background of South London brothers Iftekhar and Irfan Khondaker

Azaan said: “I would not wish this on even my worst enemy.

“I can’t remember who I was with. I can’t remember what I was doing.

“It left me with a severe brain injury, having to learn how to drink water again.

“I have lost everything, my whole life, everything.”

The incident had started shortly after 5.10am on December 1 on a ramp on the seafront near The Arch nightclub and Shooshh.

The scene in Brighton after the incident in Marine Parade where Suel Delgado was killed in a suspected hit and run

Suel Delgado had been with pals from Crawley to celebrate the birthday of Aman Alyas, while Iftekhar Khondaker was with brother Irfan and friend Umesh Ravinthan.

Witnesses saw the men fighting each other eastwards towards the pier, using belts to attack each other.

Iftekhar Khondaker claimed he was being attacked and in fear, but the court heard how he more than gave as good as he got.

Judge Laing QC said it was “chilling” how the path of the BMW could be tracked and shown to hit Suel Delgado and the Khans square on from behind as they walked away.

She said: “I accept that Suel Delgado did not seem prepared to let the matter go. But Iftekhar was quickly involved with the altercation when it began.

Suel Delgado was killed in the alleged hit and run in Marine Parade, Brighton

“Suel Delgado had already paid the price for his persistence when he was clearly beaten up by both brothers. That assault ended with him being attacked on the floor and subjected to repeated punches and kicks.

“Iftekhar had had what should have been the last word with that assault. That should have been the end of it.

“Instead Iftekhar got into that car and for the second time in his life, using a car as a weapon and intending to kill, and succeeding in killing Suel Delgado.

“He used the car as the most lethal weapon imaginable.

The car used by Iftekhar Khondaker during the horrific murder on Brighton seafront on December 1, 2019

“The fact that he was prepared to kill three men over his wounded pride is beyond comprehension.”

The court heard heartbreaking testimony from Suel Delgado’s mother about her loss.

Judge Laing said: “Suel Delgado was just 20 years old at the time of his death. He was a dearly loved son, brother and cousin.

“He was a promising footballer with a wide circle of friends and undoubtedly had his whole life ahead of him to fulfill his potential and make his family proud.

The car used by Iftekhar Khondaker during the horrific murder on Brighton seafront on December 1, 2019

“But that was brutally taken away from him in a most appalling act of violence by Iftekhar Khondaker.

“Suel’s injuries were catastrophic and unsurvivable.

"We have listened with care to the statement of his mum and the depth of her loss is unimaginable.

“His death was not the only one Iftekhar Khondaker intended. Azaan and Zakir Khan both survived.

With the horrific injuries they sustained they are both far from recovered.”

Irfan Khondaker has been jailed for assisting an offender

The judge jailed Khondaker, 34, of Caithness Road, Mitcham for life, with a minimum term of 26 years.

She also jailed Irfan Khondaker, 26, for three years for assisting an offender.