A JUDGE has told a Halesowen driver who mowed down and killed a man after initially missing him with his car that he has caused devastation to his victim’s family.

Nidal Alboraiki was jailed for life today (Tuesday, October 31) and will serve a minimum of 15 years for the murder of 36-year-old labourer Benjamin Morse.

A Wolverhampton Crown Court jury had unanimously found the 21-year-old, of Foxhunt Road, guilty yesterday.

They also convicted him of perverting the course of justice by seeking to dispose his car after the incident.

Alboraiki (pictured below) ploughed his Vauxhall Corsa into Mr Morse, who had been enjoying a night out with friends on May 1 this year.

Dudley News:

Mr Morse suffered catastrophic head injuries and he died a short time later, despite a determined effort from surgeons to keep him alive.

Judge James Burbidge QC told Alboraiki that he did not accept his car had been surrounded by the group of friends which included Mr Morse.

He said: “You were never in jeopardy. You could have comfortably driven away.

“Instead you decided to rev your car and drive in the manner you did. I’m sure you were seeking to make trouble.”

Alboraiki, whose previous convictions include battery, possessing a knife and resisting a police officer, had denied the murder and told the court he was concerned about his own safety.

But Judge Burbidge told Alboraiki he had used his car as a weapon before fleeing the scene and that he had tried to dispose of the car which was a murder weapon.

The judge said: “I discount you were in fear for your life and I do not believe there was any real provocation at all from the group.”

He added: “He (Mr Morse) was just 36 years of age, an only son and brother. You have caused devastation to this family for whom he was an emotional and financial rock. He was a friend to many.”

Ahmed Alboraiki the 19 year old brother of Nidal, had denied perverting the course of justice by taking a mobile telephone so it could not be examined by police.

But he too was found guilty by a unanimous verdict by the jury.

Ahmed Alboraiki (pictured below) further pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and he was sent to a young offenders’ institution for 14 months.

Dudley News:

Following the sentencing, West Midlands Police investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ian Wilkins, 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.”