Seven guilty of murdering teenage law student in drive-by shooting

4 August 2021, 00:17 | Updated: 4 August 2021, 00:23

Aya Hachem was killed on May 17 last year
Aya Hachem was killed on May 17 last year. Picture: Lancashire Police

By Daisy Stephens

Seven men have been found guilty of murdering a law student after the wrong person was hit during a drive-by shooting.

Tyre firm boss Feroz Suleman, 40, arranged the execution of a rival businessman in broad daylight but the gunman he hired instead shot dead innocent passer-by Aya Hachem.

The 19-year-old was said to be "in the wrong place at the wrong time" as the long-running feud between the neighbouring tyre companies culminated in Blackburn, Lancashire, on the afternoon of May 17 last year.

A Toyota Avensis driven by Anthony Ennis, 31, with hitman Zamir Raja, 33, on board drove past Quickshine Tyres on three occasions shortly before the fatal fourth journey.

Footage from CCTV cameras captured Suleman stood outside his premises next door at RI Tyres with a "ringside seat" to the shooting he had arranged of Pachah Khan, the proprietor of Quickshine Tyres.

The first shot hit the front window of Quickshine and the second was let off as Lebanese-born Miss Hachem walked by, hitting her rather than the intended target.

Miss Hachem was one of the youngest trustees of The Children's Society charity and dreamt of becoming a solicitor
Miss Hachem was one of the youngest trustees of The Children's Society charity and dreamt of becoming a solicitor. Picture: Lancashire Police

On Tuesday, a jury at Preston Crown Court took less than four hours to find Suleman, from Blackburn, guilty of murder and the attempted murder of Mr Khan.

Raja, of Stretford, Greater Manchester, and Ennis, of Partington, Greater Manchester, were also convicted of murder and attempted murder, as were other accomplices Kashif Manzoor, 26, of Blackburn, Ayaz Hussain, 35, of Blackburn, Abubakr Satia, 32, of Blackburn, and his brother Uthman Satia, 29, of Blackburn.

Uthman Satia's girlfriend, Judy Chapman, 26, of Great Harwood, was cleared of murder and attempted murder but found guilty of manslaughter.

Miss Hachem was shot in King Street while on a shopping trip to the nearby Lidl supermarket to buy food ready for when her family would break their Ramadan fast that evening.

Earlier, Manzoor made sure the Avensis was ready for the shooting as he jump-started the vehicle bought for just £300 by Abubakr Satia a week earlier.

Hussain, described as Suleman's "right-hand man", acted as an intermediary with gunman Raja.

Chapman and Uthman Satia drove the Manchester assassins away from the scene.

The court heard the feud started in early 2019 when Quickshine began selling tyres next door to RI after previously restricting itself to washing cars.

Matters deteriorated on December 3 of that year when someone set fire to RI Tyres in King Street in the early hours of the morning.

On May 1 last year, Suleman called the police and reported Pachah Khan had prevented workmen from entering Quickshine's yard to finish putting up a new sign for RI Tyres, the court was told.

In 2001, Suleman was convicted of causing the death of a 67-year-old man by dangerous driving.

He ran away from the scene of the incident in Blackburn and claimed his vehicle had been stolen before he finally pleaded guilty to the offence on the day of his trial and was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

The seven male defendants will be sentenced on Thursday. Chapman will be sentenced in October.

The seven men will be sentenced on Thursday, August 5, with Judy Chapman expected to be sentenced in October
The seven men will be sentenced on Thursday, August 5, with Judy Chapman expected to be sentenced in October. Picture: Lancashire Police

In a statement, Miss Hachem's family said: "We thank God for the justice that has been served today.

"To our dear beautiful angel in heaven we know you are in a better and more beautiful place. God chose you from amongst many and blessed you with martyrdom.

"We are so proud of you and we miss you so much - our lives are difficult without you. This is God's decree and praise be to God for this. You will remain in our hearts forever.

"You loved life and despite all the struggles and barriers that we faced in this country, it did not stop you contributing to your community and charities including the Children's Society and fundraising at Salford University where you were studying to become a barrister.

"God chose you as an angel in his heaven. Heaven is yours and may God give us the patience after your murder. We love you."

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo, of Lancashire Police, said: "Throughout this long and incredibly complex investigation, our focus has been clear - to find the people involved in this most serious course of offending, bring them before the court and to ensure that Aya's family receive justice.

"We must, however, not forget that these convictions will not bring Aya back. Her family continues to mourn her loss. Aya was a remarkable and much loved 19 year old woman.

"Aya and her family had left Lebanon for the safety of England. Her dream was to qualify and practise as a solicitor."

Miss Hachem was one of the youngest trustees of The Children's Society charity.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks speaks for the first time

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks breaks silence 20 years on

Police Line Do Not Cross ribbon on a London street following a suspected bomb reported in the area.

Schoolgirl, 10, dies after being bitten by family dog in North Yorkshire as police launch launch investigation

WATCH: Three family members of Sara Sharif were arrested at Gatwick Airport for her muder

WATCH: Moment police board plane and arrest fugitive family of schoolgirl Sara Sharif on suspicion of murder

Craig pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual offences against a teenage pupil

Ex-teacher jailed after he 'groomed' and sexually assaulted pupil in classroom cupboard

A 22-year-old woman died from a stab injury at Spenlow House on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey

Boy, 17, jailed for stabbing woman, 22, to death in 'laughing gas-fuelled row' on Christmas Eve

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'people we want to bring back to Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn

Rebekah Vardy 'threatens to reignite war with Coleen Rooney'

Rebekah Vardy launches appeal against Wagatha Christie £1.8m costs ruling