Third man jailed for murder of Birmingham father
Murtaza Nazir was fatally shot in Stechford in August 2020.
Last updated 3rd Aug 2024
A third man has been jailed for the murder of a young father in Birmingham almost four years ago.
Akeem Lawrence will serve at least 35 years behind bars for his involvement in the murder of Murtaza Nazir in Bagshaw Road, Stechford in August 2020.
Mr Nazir, who was 26, was alone and was driving a Black Mitsubishi Shogun, but within minutes of parking up and getting out he had been fatally shot.
The father of one was approached by two other vehicles displaying cloned number plates, each with a driver and a gunman inside.
One person from the back of each vehicle got out and from different angles each carrying a handgun, fired a total of 10 bullets at Mr Nazir - and left him dying in the street.
In April 2021, Tahir Zaman and Shamrez Khan were convicted and sentenced for Mr Nazir’s murder and jailed for life with a minimum term behind bars of 25 years.
After further CCTV evidence and mobile phone data, Lawrence, 30, was also charged with murder and conspiring to possess a firearm.
He denied the charges but at Birmingham Crown Court, but a jury found him guilty of both charges.
Lawrence of Clipson Road, Birmingham was sentenced yesterday to life, with a minimum term of 35 years.
Det Insp Jim Mahon, who has led the four-year investigation, said: “It is only right and proper that Lawrence has also been convicted of the murder of Mr Nazir, a much-loved family man who at the time had a 10-month-old son.
“Our investigations have been complex and thorough, spanning many, many months, but it has resulted in another of the men involved in this callous killing being brought to justice.
“We always strive to do all we can to pursue all those involved in a crime and we are always open to new information that can assist in our enquiries.
“It is never too late to come forward and tell us what you know. So, despite this successful conviction, I would ask again for anyone who is yet to pass on what they know about all those involved in Mr Nazir’s murder, to talk to us.”