A man with a history of drug dependence, Richards had several previous convictions for violent offences including robbery and blackmail.
Both men were badly injured with one suffering a skull fracture, and Richards was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for grievous bodily harm.
[4] Richards met Ben Hope, who also had a history of violence and drug problems, whilst incarcerated.
[citation needed] Siddiqi attempted to escape by running back into the house but Richards and Hope pursued him, continuing the assault.
The address is about half a mile from the University Hospital of Wales but there was a 20-minute delay in the arrival of an ambulance, during which time the police officers in attendance administered CPR and unsuccessfully attempted to revive Siddiqi.
Both defendants were linked to a stolen Volvo XC90 which was seen speeding from the scene of the attack – traces of Siddiqi's blood were found in the car's footwell, along with Richards' DNA.
[9] During the investigation a local man named Mohammed Ali Ege emerged as a suspect, potentially as the person responsible for commissioning the crime.
[10] He escaped custody whilst using a toilet at a Delhi railway station as Indian authorities were in the process of extraditing him to the UK and has not been seen since.