Man behind 'violent' Leeds robbery jailed after four year international manhunt
Wahseem Fazal was eventually traced to Greece - having failed to turn up for a court hearing
A man who planned a violent robbery on a Leeds car repair business has finally been brought to justice, following an international manhunt.
Wahseem Fazal was the mastermind behind the armed theft at the firm on Water Lane in September 2015.
Fazal targeted the business following a dispute over his ownership of parts of a Porsche Carrera GT, which was being repaired.
On September 26 2015 two men visited the workshop to ask about the cost of repairing a car, before returning to a white van parked nearby.
Once the area had cleared of potential witnesses the van was backed up to a set of roller doors, with both men getting out and confronting an employee.
One aimed a revolver at his head and demanded parts of the Porsche.
The victim was then bound up with cable ties and was pistol whipped after attempting an escape. He was then taped to a chair.
The car parts were then stolen.
Five other people have already been jailed for a total of 55 years for their roles in the conspiracy.
However Fazal failed to turn up to court in November 2018 and went on the run, along with one of the other suspects.
Police determined he'd left the UK via Eurostar in 2016, visiting Bulgaria before moving between Tunisia, Greece and Tenerife.
He was eventually traced to Athens in 2022 where he was arrested by Greek authorities and extradited to the UK.
He admitted conspiracy to commit robbery, with the now 40 year old being handed an eight year 10 month sentence at Leeds Crown Court.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jackson, who led the investigation for West Yorkshire Police, said: “Fazal’s imprisonment today finally brings to a successful conclusion an investigation that originally began eight years ago.
“This was a very serious offence during which the victim was put through a terrifying ordeal as part of a carefully planned and orchestrated robbery which was motivated purely by greed.
“This has been a lengthy and challenging investigation where Detective Sergeant Coates, as officer in the case, has continued to demonstrate a commendable amount of tenacity in her relentless pursuit of those involved, most notably Fazal as the main person behind it.
“He tried to evade justice by leaving the country and relocating around Europe and Africa in the hope that he could avoid having to answer for his actions.
“The extensive efforts that eventually paid off and saw him brought back to the UK to face justice should clearly illustrate to wanted offenders that their debt never goes away.”
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