Man jailed for life for murder of Blackburn law student
Aya Hachem was mistakenly shot during long-running fued
A man has today been jailed for life for the murder of Blackburn law student Aya Hachem.
Nineteen-year-old Aya was shot dead at 3pm on Sunday, May 17th 2020 whilst walking along King Street, Blackburn.
Aya was shot by Zamir Raja who was sitting in the back of a Toyota Avensis being driven by Anthony Ennis. Zamir Raja was a hitman brought in to do a job. He fired two shots from the car which was being driven past Quickshine Tyres. Zamir Raja’s intended target was Pachah Khan: he was the proprietor of Quickshine Tyres. Zamir Raja’s first shot hit one of the windows of Quickshine Tyres: the second hit Aya Hachem.
The shooting was the culmination of a long-running feud between Feroz Suleman, the owner of RI Tyres, and Pachah Khan, the owner of Quickshine Tyres
Aya had no connection to either Pachah Khan, his business at Quickshine Tyres, to Zamir Raja or anyone else in this case: she was going about her lawful everyday business. She was just out shopping for food for her family.
Eight people were sentenced in August 2021 after they were convicted of roles in the shooting.
And in March another man was found guilty of both the murder of Aya Hachem and the attempted murder of Pachah Khan.
Louis Otway was involved in organising and arranging the shooting on 17th May 2020. He was the link between Ayaz Hussain in Blackburn on one hand, and “his boys” the gunman (Zamir Raja) and driver (Anthony Ennis) on the other.
A second man, Suhayl Suleman, 38, of Shear Brow, Blackburn, was found not guilty after the trial of both murder and attempted murder.
Otway, 42, of Clitheroe Road, Manchester, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today (Friday, May 5th) to life with a minimum term of 32 years before he can apply for parole.
Det Insp Ian Moore, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Aya Hachem was a young woman whose life – so full of promise – was brutally and tragically cut short on that May afternoon and my thoughts today are first and foremost with her family and loved ones.
“Lewis Otway played a key role in organising the plot to kill Pachah Khan, the bungled execution of which resulted in Aya’s murder, and I welcome today’s sentence which reflects the gravity of this horrendous crime and goes along with those found guilty and sentenced last year.
“I hope that this offers Aya’s family some sense that we have achieved justice for her and that this shows that Lancashire Constabulary will never give up in our tenacious approach to putting those who commit these atrocious crimes before the courts.
In a statement Aya’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 Gods 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 Charites 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.
We thank Detective Inspector Ian Moore and his team of dedicated police officers who worked so hard to build a strong case against the defendant who has been sentenced today.
Also, to the Crown Prosecution Service, represented by Mr Cray KC, from the first moments of Aya’s murder until the last moments of the trial.
We also thank Mr Justice Jacobs, who managed the court proceedings with confidence and wisdom.
We offer thanks to the jury for their time and effort to listen for 12 weeks and to distinguish truth from falsehood, lies and honesty.
Special thanks to the ARC Centre and the wider community of Blackburn including the many families that have offered their support in this difficult time.”
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