Seven men have been found guilty of the murder of Salford student Aya Hachem.
The 19-year-old was walking along King Street in Blackburn on May 17 last year when she was fatally wounded by a stray bullet meant for the rival of local businessman Feroz Suleman.
It was the result of a long-standing feud between two rival car wash businesses where resentment escalated into violence.
Over the course of a trial at Preston Crown Court, a jury heard that Suleman, owner of RI Tyres, and his friend Ayaz Hussain, recruited Zamir Raja to assassinate the owner of rival car wash business Quickshine Tyres.
The rivalry between the two businesses intensified in December 2019 when RI Tyres was subject to an arson attack, which Suleman suspected was the work of Quickshine.
By May 2020, relations were so poor that Suleman began masterminding a plan to murder the owner of Quickshine as a means of resolving the dispute, the court heard. He and Hussain enlisted Zamir Raja to carry out the shooting, while Antony Ennis was recruited as the driver.
On May 17, after practising the route for the planned drive-by shooting the day before, shots aimed at Quickshine were fired from an Avensis car – with the second bullet striking Ms Hachem.
She had been walking past on her way to the supermarket to pick up food for her family.
After Ms Hachem fell to the ground, passers-by stopped and tried to help, but her injuries were already fatal.
CCTV showed Suleman and Manzoor watching the shooting from the adjacent car wash.
The eight co-conspirators denied murder but seven were convicted after a ten-week trial. Hitman Raja and Ayaz Hussain admitted manslaughter mid-trial but this plea was rejected by the CPS.
Speaking about the case, Alan Richardson, Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: ‘’Each of these callous conspirators is in their way responsible for the senseless killing of Aya Hachem – an innocent young woman full of promise who lost her life as a result of a petty business rivalry.
“The ruthlessness of everyone involved is staggering, with the group going to extreme lengths to plan an assassination in broad daylight – risking the lives of members of the public going about their daily business.
“Even when the wrong target was hit, they refused to display any guilt or remorse and denied involvement in this devastating murder."
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo from Lancashire’s Force Major Investigation Team (FMIT), said: “I am pleased with today’s result which is the conclusion of months of meticulous and challenging police work.
“Throughout this incredibly long and complex investigation, our focus was always clear; to find the people involved so we could get justice for Aya.
‘’With that, my thanks goes to each and every police officer and member of police staff who dedicated many hours, skill and expertise to track the people involved down and build a case so strong that, along with the excellent work by CPS and Counsel, helped the jury reach their guilty verdicts.’’
After just four hours of deliberations, the jury came back with the following results:
- Feroz Suleman, 40, of Shear Brow, Blackburn, has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
- Ayaz Hussain, 35, of Calgary Avenue, Blackburn, has been found guilty of murder and attempted.
- Zamir Raja, 33, of Davyhulme Road, Stretford, has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
- Antony Ennis, 31, of Grasmere Court, Partington, has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
- Abubakhar Satia, 32, of Oxford Close, Blackburn, has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
- Kashif Manzoor, 26, of Shakeshaft Street, Blackburn has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
- Uthman Satia, 29, St Hubert’s Road, Great Harwood, has been found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
- Judy Chapman, 26, of St Hubert’s Road, Great Harwood, has been found guilty of manslaughter.
All of the defendants except Chapman will be sentenced on August 5, with Chapman's hearing taking place on October 1.
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