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Brazilian man jailed for killing his Indian-origin boss in UK

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Press Trust of India London
A Brazilian man was today jailed for life in the UK for brutally killing his Indian-origin employer who had been trying to help him get over a love-split.

Dad-of-three Amarjit Singh Rai, 41, died after being slashed across his throat and then bludgeoned about his head by Fausto Graciano at a Birmingham street in front of horrified passers-by.

Graciano, 27, was jailed for life after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, Birmingham Mail reported.

Judge William Davis said: "Amarjit Rai was a successful businessman, a prominent member of his community, a loving husband and a good father. On top of all that he was a good friend to you.
 

"Nobody deserves to die but the loss of Mr Rai is grievous indeed to very many people. You killed him because you were suffering from a mental illness."

He said it was likely Graciano would remain in a secure hospital for many years.

Gareth Walters, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the victim owned companies including the Pushkar restaurant on Broad Street and Cafe Guzan in the Mailbox, as well as running a convenience store in Silver Birch Road, Kingshurst.

He was well known for his kindness said Walters, who added it was his willingness to help others which "tragically" led to his death.

Brazilian-born Graciano had worked as a bartender at Pushkar and Cafe Guzan.

But in April this year his Lithuanian girlfriend returned to her home country which appeared to have a "significant impact" on him, with colleagues saying he was acting in an abnormal way.

On May 1 Rai visited the defendant's home in a bid to help him through his troubles, the court heard. But Graciano started acting violently and smashed a laptop to pieces.

He carried out the fatal attack the following day in a passageway close to his flat in Gillott Road.

"It was a vicious attack involving the use of a knife, stabbing Mr Rai and attempted strangulation," Walters said.

After the victim had his throat cut, a paramedic arrived at the scene and tried to help him - but Graciano used a weightlifting bar to repeatedly hit Rai to the head, causing massive injuries.

Police were called to the address and Graciano was arrested at the scene. He was transferred to a secure mental health facility, after being deemed unfit for interview, before being brought back to police custody and charged.

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First Published: Dec 13 2013 | 8:17 PM IST

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