Tariffs

09.30 Friday 26th October 2001
Court 4
Royal Courts of Justice

Recommendation as to tariff in the case of Tasib Hussein by the Lord Chief Justice in accordance with his Practice Direction of 27th July 2000

1. Tasib Hussein was born on the 17th July 1975. On the 17th December 1993 he was convicted of murder and sentenced to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure. His co-accused, Mohammed Kalil, was also convicted of murder and as he was 21 he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The trial judge recommended a tariff of 12 years in the case of Hussein and a tariff of 14 years in the case of Kalil. Hussein's tariff was fixed at a period of 12 years.

The facts of the offence

2. The deceased was the night caretaker of a snooker club. He was 55 years of age. Hussein and his co-defendant were regular visitors to the club and knew the deceased well. On the 6th August 1992, they were alone with the deceased in the club. He fell asleep. They started to break into the till, gaming machines etc. The deceased woke up and the defendants violently attacked him. They used the weapons they could find in the club, namely a long bladed kitchen knife, a heavy wooden stave, and a snooker cue. They cut his throat and stabbed him deeply in seven places. They fractured his skull.

3. The trial judge considered that Kalil was significantly the more culpable. Hussein had no previous convictions for violence. He had a conviction for burglary but was conditionally discharged.

Progress since conviction

4. Hussein maintains his innocence. Initially his conduct in prison was considered poor. More recently he has indicated increased maturity.

Conclusion

5. While there has been an improvement in Hussein's conduct, the information before me discloses no basis on which I could recommend a reduction in his tariff. His tariff could usefully be looked at again in 24 months.