The mother and brother of killer Luke Aujila escaped a custodial sentence today after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Annette Aujila, 42, of Dorchester Road, Gravesend, was order to serve 200 hours unpaid work while son Thomas, 25, of Gordon Road, Northfleet, was handed a 12 month sentence suspended for 2 years and ordered to do 300 hours' unpaid work. He will be supervised for two years and was ordered to attend a Think First programme.

The pair appeared at Maidstone Crown Court a day after Luke Aujila was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after being found guilty of murdering Gravesend taxi driver Gian Chand Bajar.

The 21-year-old, of no fixed address, had admitted manslaughter and perverting the course of justice but denied murder.

He ran over Mr Bajar, 71, as he lay injured in St Benedict's Avenue, Gravesend, on May 23 last year. He then set fire to the taxi. Father of five Mr Bajar, widely respected in the Sikh community, died later in hospital.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Aujila, who had spent the afternoon and evening drinking cider and rum, probably argued with Mr Bajar because he did not have the money to pay for his fare.

Aujila was in Northfleet when got into Mr Bajar's taxi. He directed the cabbie to a cul-de-sac in St Benedict’s Avenue, Gravesend, close to his mother's home in Dorchester Road.

An argument started and both men got out of the cab. Aujila knocked the victim to the ground and kicked him before climbing behind the wheel of the taxi, turning it around and driving over Mr Bajar, causing him multiple injuries. He died later that night in hospital.

At today's hearing Judge Andrew Patience, QC, said they should each consider themselves fortunate that he did not send them to prison.

Speaking outside the court Mr Bajar's daughter Sudesh said: "You get a few character references from friends and family and you get away with it."