Harlow man jailed for life for killing man with pick-up truck
Two accomplices have also been sentenced for robbery linked to the incident.
A violent offender who used a pick-up truck to kill a man in Harlow has been jailed for life, while his two associates have been sentenced for their roles in an earlier robbery.
Jeremy Heath, 51, Joe Jones, 38, and Matthew Arnold, 40, carried out a series of crimes in Harlow on 29th March last year, motivated by their drug addictions.
Heath pursued 26-year-old Arlind Xhokola on foot and then in a Mitsubishi pick-up truck. Driving at speed as Arlind fled along a cycle path near Momples Road, Heath used the vehicle as a weapon, smashing through a bollard and pinning Arlind against a tree.
Arlind died from his injuries, and Heath set fire to the truck in an effort to cover his actions and the trio's earlier knife-point robbery, during which a Ford Fiesta was stolen but found to contain no drugs or cash.
Heath was arrested in Harlow on 31st March, surrounded by armed officers. Arnold, who sustained serious injuries during the fatal collision, was arrested in hospital on 1st April. Jones was tracked down to Sheerness, Kent, and arrested on 2nd April after attempting to flee.
At Chelmsford Crown Court on 26th January, Heath was convicted of murder, robbery, possession of a knife in a public place, and perverting the course of justice. Jones and Arnold were convicted of robbery, with Jones also convicted of possession of a knife in a public place.
Heath was sentenced to life imprisonment today, 27th January, with a minimum term of 27 years. Jones received a four-year sentence, and Arnold was jailed for two years.
Arlind’s partner described him as “a very sweet, kind, and gentle young man,” adding that he “had a good heart” and left “a positive impression” on those around him.
Detective Inspector James Holmes, who led the investigation, said: “This was a deliberate and ruthless act of violence, using a heavy vehicle as a weapon.
“Jeremy Heath is a prolific and dangerous criminal. His actions in driving that pick-up truck, with lethal purpose, at Arlind Xhokola were the violent crescendo to a day of criminality carried out by Heath and his associates.
“Harlow is a safer place with them convicted and behind bars.
“Drug-driven violence is an issue we are committed to prioritising and stamping out. Drug addiction and supply lie at the heart of much of the offending we see not just in Harlow, but across Essex.”
Essex Police remains focused on tackling drug supply. Its Operation Raptor and Orochi teams, which target county lines activity, dismantled 43 county lines gangs and secured 915 months of prison sentences for drug dealers in Harlow alone last year.