Mohammed Asgar Shafi been jailed for nine years after stabbing a 29-year-old man in his chest and arm

Mohammed Asgar Shafi

Mohammed Asgar Shafi has been jailed after stabbing a 29-year-old man in his chest and arm.

Shafi (born 19/07/1972) of Alderman Foley Drive, Rochdale was found guilty of grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing.

He was jailed today, Thursday 19 March 2015, at Minshull Street Crown Court to nine years.

In late 2013, Shafi befriended his victim after they met at an acquaintances house. During the next few weeks, Shafi told his victim he would give him heroin in exchange for stealing razor blades.

Over the following months, the man decided he wanted to stop taking heroin and would pay Shafi the money he owed for drugs.

When he told him of his intention, Shafi threatened to stab him before forcing him into stealing again.

In the early hours of Sunday 27 July 2014, the victim received a text from Shafi to arrange to meet him at his house. When he turned up, Shafi told him he had a job for him and to get in his car. He drove him around before saying the job had been cancelled. Shafi gave him a bag of heroin and told him he must start stealing again but when he reiterated he did not want to, he was threatened.

Later that morning, the victim went to a flat on Dunstable, Lower Falinge in Rochdale where he was confronted by Shafi. Without saying anything, he plunged the knife into his chest and bicep.

An ambulance was called and the victim was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where he was treated for a punctured lung and had stitches to his arm.

Detective Constable Craig Wallace said: “When Shafi initially met his victim, he realised he was vulnerable and drug dependant. He used this to his advantage by promising him drugs in return for stolen property.

“When the victim tried to turn his life around and stop taking drugs, Shafi realised he would no longer have control over him and threatened to stab him. He made continuous threats and the victim reluctantly agreed to carry on.

“However, when he told him he wanted to stop for good, he was viciously assaulted and stabbed, leaving him with nasty wounds. Thankfully, he has now fully recovered and Shafi is behind bars.”