Seven jailed for helping murder suspect who fled
Seven people have been jailed for their roles in helping a man suspected of murder flee from the UK to Pakistan.
Police believe Akaash Rafiq was involved in the death of Mohammed Feazan Ayaz, who was fatally beaten and tortured at an industrial unit in Bradford in July 2019.
Mr Rafiq, who is still wanted, was later driven from West Yorkshire to London, where he then travelled by Eurostar to Paris before flying to Pakistan via the Middle East, according to police.
On Friday, five men and two women were jailed at Bradford Crown Court after having been convicted at a trial earlier this year of perverting the course of justice.
Safraz Ahmed, 36, of Brantwood Drive, was jailed for four years and nine months, while Hasan Ali, 30, of Thorn Lane, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years.
A jury heard in January how the pair had travelled with Mr Rafiq and another man following Mr Ayaz's murder, which took place in the Denholme area of the city.
Meanwhile, David Burnett, 43, of Clayton Avenue, was jailed for 20 months, and 38-year-old Rafaq Ali, of Kensington Street, was sentenced to 14 months in jail.
The court had been told they were both involved in deleting CCTV footage from cameras at the industrial unit where Mr Ayaz was killed.
Three further defendants were sentenced for going into the unit the next day and cleaning up blood, water and urine left at the crime scene.
Komal Kurshid, 32, of Athol Road, and 37-year-old mother-of-three Kaukab Khan, of Galsworthy Avenue, were given jail terms of 15 months and six months respectively.
Khan's partner, Iqrab Choudhury, 32, of Sandford Road, Bradford, was also sentenced to 12 months in jail for her role in the clean-up.
Judge Sophie McKone told the defendants that while none of them had played a part in the murder of Mr Ayaz, "in the aftermath you helped those who had murdered him".
Speaking after today's sentencing, Investigating Officer Det Supt Emma Winfield, from West Yorkshire Police, said: "Twelve people have now been convicted for their involvement in Feazan's murder.
"We have never given up getting justice for him and his family and remain committed to pursuing and detaining the outstanding suspect in the case."
In 2020, three men were convicted and jailed for Mr Ayaz's murder, while two other men were sentenced for assisting an offender.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Man found dead in street named
'Sadistic' trio convicted of torture and murder
HM Courts and Tribunals Service

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Drink driving charge after motorhome crash
A man has been charged with drink driving after a motorhome crashed into a bollard at a motorway service station. The driver was reported to be drunk at Wetherby Services on Monday, and drove off in the Fiat Swift campervan after being refused service. North Yorkshire Police said analysis of CCTV tracked down the vehicle on the A61 travelling towards Ripon, where it was stopped. A 32-year-old man from Newcastle has been charged with driving whilst over the prescribed alcohol limit and a number of other offences. Police said the man was also wanted on warrant after failing to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on 16 July last year regarding a serious assault case. He is due to appear before Harrogate Magistrates' Court on 26 June where he is also charged with driving otherwise in accordance with a licence, failing to stop/report a road traffic collision, driving without due care and attention and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. North Yorkshire Police
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Four seriously injured in head-on crash
Three teenagers and a man have been taken to hospital with severe injuries after a head-on collision on a country lane. Bedfordshire Police said the crash happened on Luton Road near Toddington, just after 23:15 BST on Tuesday. A silver Vauxhall Astra travelling towards Luton collided with a silver Kia Rio, close to The Fancott pub. Police said a man in his 20s suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, and one of three teenagers potentially faced life-changing injuries. Officers appealed for witnesses, information and dash-cam footage. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Woman to face trial over shopkeeper murder plot
An American woman accused of plotting to murder a shop owner and members of his family in the UK is to face trial this summer. Aimee Betro, 45, was charged after a man was threatened at gunpoint in South Yardley, Birmingham, in September 2019. She has previously denied conspiracy to murder, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and a separate charge related to the alleged importation of ammunition into the UK. Ms Betro, originally from the US state of Wisconsin, appeared before Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday when the case was adjourned for trial on 21 July. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. American woman denies shopkeeper murder plot HM Courts Service