A Hartlepool man has been sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment after being found guilty of manslaughter for the death of a friend who was discovered in his flat with catastrophic head and facial injuries.
Verdict and sentencing
Jurors at the trial reached a unanimous decision after just over three hours, finding Callum Howe, of Blakelock Gardens, guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder. The victim, 23-year-old Mohammed Shaan Ali Rasul, was found in Howe's flat in Allerton Close, Hartlepool, on 23 November last year.
"You bludgeoned him to death in what must've been a frenzied and brutal attack,"
Judge Francis Laird KC, in passing sentence, said Howe had been under the influence of a mixture of drugs and had carried out an assault so severe that Rasul "did not stand a chance at surviving". The judge told Howe that he had been the person to produce the weapon and that the deceased had been "at your mercy".
Nature of the injuries and evidence
A post-mortem examination concluded Rasul suffered multiple facial and head fractures and injuries likely to have compromised his airway, significantly impairing his breathing. Pathologist Dr Louise Mulcahy described at least 12 significant impacts to the head and face, and identified at least 10 blows from a heavy instrument with a sharp cutting edge—consistent with an axe or hatchet recovered from the scene.
| Detail | Reported finding |
|---|---|
| Victim | Mohammed Shaan Ali Rasul, 23 |
| Defendant | Callum Howe, Blakelock Gardens |
| Sentence | 16 years' imprisonment |
| Incident date | 23 November (previous year) |
| Injuries | At least 12 head/face impacts; 10 from a heavy sharp instrument |
Prosecution account and defence
Prosecutor Peter Makepeace KC told the court Howe had been in a "drug-fuelled rage" and had struck Rasul repeatedly in the face with an axe. The prosecution suggested the altercation related to issues around drugs; Howe denied that claim and told the court his actions were in self-defence.
- Emergency services were called shortly after 11:15 GMT; paramedics attempted CPR but Rasul was pronounced dead.
- Forensic evidence included a hatchet recovered from the scene and the pathological findings of multiple fractures and displaced teeth.
- Jurors rejected a murder charge but convicted Howe of manslaughter.
The case will be of concern to residents in Allerton Close and across Hartlepool, where a violent death in a domestic setting has led to a long custodial sentence. Local policing and community safety teams may face questions about prevention and support in relation to drug-related violence following the ruling.
Anyone with information relevant to this case or worried about drug-related harm in the area is encouraged to contact Cleveland Police or local support services.
