Drug user who killed grandfather gets 21-year minimum jail term

BBC News

23-05-2025

A drug user was being investigated on suspicion of stabbing a family member when he murdered a "low-level" cannabis dealer, a judge has heard.Yasar Hussain, 27, of Cades Close, Luton, was told that be must spend at least 21 years in jail after being convicted of 53-year-old David Dosa's murder.Jurors at a trial in Luton Crown Court had heard how Mr Dosa, a grandfather, died after being stabbed in the neck outside his flat in Farley Court, Luton, on 15 August.Judge Michael Kay imposed a mandatory life sentence and said Hussain must serve a minimum jail term of 21 years before parole could be considered.
A prosecution barrister told the judge, at Friday's sentencing hearing in Luton Crown Court, that Hussain had been arrested on suspicion of stabbing his step father, Azam Hussain, in April 2024.Sean Larkin KC said Hussain had been released on bail pending further investigation - and was under investigation with he killed Mr Dosa.He said the stabbing allegation "remained outstanding".Judge Kay said the case would be considered at a further court hearing on 30 May.
Hussain had denied murdering Mr Dosa but was found guilty by a jury earlier this week.Jurors found him not guilty of possessing a bladed article.He said he had gone to Mr Dosa's home to buy cannabis - and fled after Mr Dosa hit him.But he told jurors that he had not been armed with any weapon and had only "pushed" Mr Dosa..
Mr Larkin said Mr Dosa chased Hussain brandishing a walking stick after being attacked - shortly before collapsing and dying.Police said Hussain tried to "cover his tracks" by resetting his mobile phone and destroying the sim card.They said he left his home and moved to Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire, after Mr Dosa died.
Judge Kay had told jurors at the start of the trial that Mr Hussain had been "diagnosed with a learning disability".The judge said evidence suggested that Hussain had "low intellectual functioning".- and an intermediary had sat with Hussain during the trial to help him understand what was being said.But the judge told Hussain on Friday: "There is little, if anything, to suggest there was any mental disorder which reduced your culpability."The judge said he was sure Hussain had taken a knife, or bladed article with him, when he travelled to Mr Dosa's home.He said Hussain had either "intended" to commit an offence or have the knife "available".The judge said evidence suggested that Mr Dosa was a "low-level" cannabis dealer.
Mr Dosa had two sons, the judge was told.One son, Adam, told the judge in a victim impact statement that his parents had separated and father had turned to "alcohol and drugs" to "numb the pain".He said he thought his father had been lonely."[My father's] last words to me were 'I love you son. I am so proud of you'," he said."I often beat myself up thinking I could have done more to help him."
Barrister Maria Karaiskos KC, who represented Hussain, told the judge there was no evidence of a "motive" for the murder, no evidence of planning or premeditation and no "intention to kill".
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