'Remarkable' man dreamed of owning a supercar business before brutal attack
A Nottingham murder victim’s dream of running his own supercar business was tragically cut short when he was savagely stabbed to death on a petrol station forecourt. In a heartfelt tribute, the family of Duraab Khan said the 26-year-old “leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, and living life to the fullest,” after he was repeatedly attacked and brutally murdered by “arrogant and entitled” Haseeb Majid.
Mr Khan, one of five siblings, died at the scene of the assault at the Texaco garage in Meadow Lane, close to Lady Bay Bridge, on January 31, this year. Today, Thursday, September 19, the 22-year-old who killed him was jailed for life and told it would be 26 years before he would be eligible to apply for parole.
In a statement, Mr Khan’s family said: “Duraab was a remarkable young man whose life, though tragically cut short, was filled with love, laughter, and an unyielding dedication to his family and friends. Duraab was born in 1997, side by side with his twin sister, both were the joy of the family.
"From a very young age, Duraab was no stranger to hard work. At just nine-years-old, while many children are still carefree, he took on a paper round for a local corner shop. He left school with his GCSEs in hand, ready to make his mark on the world.
“When his family moved to Glasgow, Duraab quickly found his footing. He started working for Sky, a job that not only provided for his family but also allowed him to take significant steps toward his dreams.
“Through his hard work and perseverance, he was able to purchase the family home, a symbol of his dedication and love for those closest to him. Duraab valued family as his prized possession.
“When his father was diagnosed with a heart condition, he made sure he was there at every call, Duraab cared for him until his final breath. Duraab’s passion for cars was evident to everyone who knew him.
“Even at a young age he would work on bicycles and started his apprenticeship in Nottingham before moving to Glasgow. His dream was to start a business renting out supercars, a goal he was steadily working towards.
“His eyes would light up whenever he talked about cars, and it was clear that this was more than just a hobby it was a lifelong passion that brought him immense joy. But beyond his work and his dreams, Duraab was the life of the party in every way. To his parents he was a ray of sunshine, their pride, and the life of them.
"To his younger siblings, his older brother, and his twin sister, he was more than just a brother he was their protector, their confidant, and their best friend. To his friends, he was the one who could bring out the inner child in anyone, no matter their age.
"His infectious energy and mischievous spirit made him the kind of person who could turn even the worst situation into something light-hearted and manageable. Duraab’s sense of humour was unmatched. He was the funniest in the family, always finding a way to make others laugh, even in the darkest of times.
"He had a unique ability to see the bright side of life, and he used that gift to bring joy to everyone around him. In the days before his murder, Duraab received news that filled him with boundless happiness. His best friend and his wife were expecting their first child, and when Duraab found out that the baby’s name would begin with a letter ‘D’, his joy knew no bounds.
“Duraab was a man of honour, deeply rooted in the values of his religion and cultural background. He knew how to show respect to his elders, to women, and to children. He lived by a code of honour that defined his every action and interaction.
"His brutal murder has taken away a brother, a friend, a nephew, and a son from those who loved him unconditionally. As we remember Duraab, let us not dwell on the tragedy that took him from us, but rather remember the vibrant, loving, and mischievous spirit that he was.
"His firm faith reminds us that we will be reunited in heaven one day. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, and an enduring reminder of the importance of family, friendship, and living life to the fullest.
"Mohammed Duraab Khan may be gone, but his spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to truly know him.
“We would like to thank Judge Coupland, every member of the jury and Nottinghamshire Police for working hard and bringing some closure and justice for our boy. We would like to thank Detective Inspector Kaz Smithson and our family liaison officer Jeff Julious, for the continuous support and the hard work they have put in.
“We really appreciate the patience and kindness we have been shown through this whole year.”
Sentencing Majid, Judge Steven Coupland described what he did to Mr Khan as “brutal and deadly” and that he was satisfied that the sheer number of stab wounds he inflicted meant intended to kill the victim.
Following a near three-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, a jury took almost two full days of deliberations to unanimously convict Majid of the brutal murder of Mr Khan who he repeatedly attacked with a so-called “zombie knife”.
Giving evidence, the defendant, of Wilford Crescent West, in The Meadows, claimed he was firstly acting in self-defence fearing he was going to be assaulted himself and then “lost control” as he continued to thrust the weapon into the victim during a frenzied attack
Prosecutor Michael Burrows KC said Majid had been in a relationship with a woman but that ended and she later became friends with Mr Khan. He said during January 2024, in the lead up to the killing, the defendant said he had encountered the victim on more than one occasion during one of which he said Mr Khan had threatened to kill him and petrol bomb his family home and so he began keeping a knife in his car for protection.
Jailing Majid, who has a previous conviction for grievous bodily harm from when he was 13, Judge Coupland said: "On January 31, you murdered Duraab Khan who was only 26 years old. His death was a tragedy for those who loved him and I have heard moving tributes from his four siblings, his father and his aunt and the catastrophic loss they all feel.
“There will always be an empty seat at their table. Your response to questions in cross-examination showed an element of arrogance and entitlement.
“The knife you used was terrifying, described as a 'zombie knife,' something which can't be purchased (legally) and something that only has one purpose. What you did was what you intended to do.
“It was not a spontaneous act, you had opportunities to leave the area but you chose to carry on. Your actions were brutal and deadly and the number of wounds inflicted shows your intention was to kill him.
“You then left him there to die. You did not show the slightest remorse for Duraab Khan and the only person you thought about was yourself."
Detective Inspector Kaz Smithson, who led the investigation, said: “Detectives who worked on this investigation are full of admiration for the dignified manner in which Mr Khan’s family have conducted themselves. Our family liaison officers have been supporting them since the awful events of 31 January and will continue to do so following the conclusion of court proceedings.
“I hope the sentencing today at least gives them some closure and they can begin the process of moving on with their lives. Mr Khan’s killing at the hands of Majid was savage and completely senseless.
“Majid must also now live with the consequences of what he did that day as he begins a life sentence. I’d also like to thank the team of officers who worked on the investigation. They should be commended for the swift arrest of a dangerous individual and the meticulous investigation which has ensured he will be behind bars for a very long time to come.”