Story By: Koen Berghuis, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: CEN

An amateur Thai boxer has been jailed for beating a pedestrian to death after the hapless walker crossed the street in front of the thug’s bike.

Muharrem C., 28, was sentenced to five and a half years in jail after a court in Hanover, capital of the German state of Lower Saxony, found him guilty on charges of GBH leading to death.

The court said that Muharrem C., a well-trained amateur Thai boxer, heavily beat up 40-year-old pedestrian Ilija T. on a city high street.

Pictures Credit: CEN

The fight started when Muharrem C. had to take evasive action on his electronic bicycle when Ilija crossed the street in front of him while reportedly looking at his mobile phone.

Outraged, the defendant reportedly approached the victim shouting: “Let’s box like real men!”

He hit Ilija T. three or four times to the head and the victim fell to the ground.

After a while, he tried to get to his feet and Muharrem C. hit him one last time, causing him to fall into a coma. 

Ilija T. died three days later in a hospital.

Judge Wolfgang Rosenbuch said: “He was not ready to fight, but that did not stop you.”

The court took into consideration Muharrem C.’s unblemished criminal record and the fact that he did not flee the scene but reported himself to the cops, showing regret.

As Muharrem C. is addicted to cocaine and marijuana, the court also sentenced him to undergo rehab treatment.

Prosecutors and the victim’s relatives, who were co-plaintiffs in the case, are considering an appeal as they hoped for a manslaughter conviction.

Lawyer Harald Lemke-Kuech, who represents the victim’s brother and mother, said: “The family is not satisfied with the outcome.”