A 27-year-old man has been convicted of murdering 37-year-old model Luke Harden in the Stacksteads area of Rossendale. Bhekisani Matabiswana was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court for the fatal assault that took place on November 1st last year, following a Halloween party at a working men’s club where both had attended separately.
On the night of October 31st, Matabiswana and his associates attended the same Halloween party as Luke Harden but left by different doors. CCTV footage showed the groups walking separately before Matabiswana violently attacked Luke on Newchurch Road. He punched and then kicked Luke while he lay defenceless on the ground. Luke had no defensive wounds, indicating he was not the aggressor in the incident.
Despite the brutal assault, Matabiswana did not call emergency services immediately. Instead, he used Luke’s phone to alert the victim’s friends and family without providing any aid. Eventually, a member of the public called for an ambulance and administered first aid alongside Matabiswana’s female associate.
Paramedics found Luke with extensive facial injuries and bruising consistent with a severe assault. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:17am due to blunt force trauma to the head and neck sustained during the attack.
After the attack, Matabiswana gave false accounts to paramedics and police, claiming he found Luke after a fall. Authorities later arrested him at Manchester Airport as he attempted to flee to South Africa. Data recovered from his phone revealed conflicting stories and plans to evade justice.
Detective Inspector Pete MacDonald said: “Matabiswana engaged in a frenzied and cowardly attack, continuing to assault Luke while he was defenseless on the floor. He made no effort to help and instead lied to Luke’s family and friends. Thankfully, the jury held him accountable by finding him guilty of murder.”
Matabiswana faces sentencing at Preston Crown Court on Monday.
Originally published by UKNIP.
