Youths guilty of killing waiter

Two youths have been found guilty of killing a waiter as he tried to break up a fight outside a restaurant.

Syed Islam, 28, was hit over the head with a metal bar outside Mai'da restaurant in Bethnal Green, east London, in January.

He died the following day from brain damage, the Old Bailey heard.

Mohammed Shaubuzzaman, 18, from Whitechapel, and Bahar Uddin, 19, from Bethnal Green, were found guilty of manslaughter and wounding with intent.

Mr Islam, from Bethnal Green Road, was a Pakistani national who had been working part-time as a waiter while studying in the UK.

Graduation party

The court heard that on the 15 January the restaurant was filled with young people at a graduation party and celebrating a birthday.

Uddin arrived outside and had an argument on his mobile phone with his girlfriend, who was refusing to leave the restaurant.

Sir Allan Green, prosecuting, said a row broke out between Uddin, his friend Shaubuzzaman and a group of youths who were smoking outside.

Uddin and Shaubuzzaman started to attack the smokers with an iron pole and a wheel brace before waiters from the restaurant went outside to intervene.

I whacked (Mr Islam) because I thought he was going to hit Bahar Mohammed Shaubuzzaman

Shaubuzzaman later told police that he aimed for Mr Islam's back and hit his head by mistake, Sir Allan said.

Shaubuzzaman said: "I whacked him because I thought he was going to hit Bahar."

Mr Islam was helped back inside the restaurant with a fractured skull and died the next day.

Outside court, Det Ch Insp Carl Mehta said: "This is a case where a small and insignificant argument resulted in the use of excessive violence."

He added "Weapons were used by two young men to resolve their differences with another group of youngsters who were simply enjoying an evening meal."

Uddin and Shaubuzzaman will be sentenced next month.