A Coventry mum whose son was killed by a man who was in the UK illegally has slammed the Home Office. Emiljano Kasaj was sentenced for the 'horrendous' killings of Leo Moran and Joel Carriedo.

In September 2023, Emiljano went on a 'killing spree' in the city, ploughing into pedestrian Mr Moran and cyclist Mr Carriedo. Both tragically died, and a third man was also left seriously injured.

Kasaj was said to have been suffering from a severe paranoid illness at the time of the killings. He falsely believed he was a 'king' who was being blackmailed by political leaders in Albania.

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Prosecutor Peter Grieves-Smith said Kasaj was arrested for immigration offences in August 2022. He had made no attempts to register with the authorities and was detained to be removed to Albania as he had been in the UK illegally,Warwick Crown Court heard.

Kasaj was held at Harmondsworth Detention Centre in London, but in October 2022, the 34-year-old was bailed to an address in Newfield Road, Coventry, with a condition to sign on at the Solihull Immigration Centre on December 5. He failed to appear for any of his appointments, Mr Grieves-Smith said.

Emiljano Kasaj was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court
Emiljano Kasaj was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court

Evidence presented to Warwick Crown Court showed that Kasaj suffers from 'a major mental illness' which may have been aggravated by the use of drugs in the weeks before Leo and Joel were killed. Now, the grief-stricken mother of Mr Moran has slammed the Home Office.

Teresa told Warwick Crown Court: “Leo was my youngest son and we had a bond like no other. He left his mark wherever he went.”

She continued: “We knew early on in the police investigation that the murderer was known to the Home Office. We later found out he was an illegal immigrant.

“Leo has been let down by the Home Office. We have all been let down by the Home Office. If the Home Office had done their job properly, then the public of Coventry may have been saved, and Leo might still be here.”

Kasaj was sentenced to life with a minimum term of nine years and four months and also given an indefinite hybrid order under the Mental Health Act. He will be detained in a facility 'for as long as is necessary.'

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