Hana Ahmed and Imran Shafiq QC have successfully secured an acquittal for their client on two counts of Section 18 and one count of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The shooting took place around 2.30 pm on Friday, November 15, 2019. CCTV footage from The Godfather café on Copthall Lane shows the two victims in the café with a group of other men. “The offence bore the hallmarks of gang rivalry, and this was an attempt to cause serious injury to others,” prosecutor Alaric Bassano told jurors.
Consequently, Hazhar Anwar, 29, and Danyal Ahmed, 24, were convicted of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Ahsan Shabbir, 20, was acquitted of the same two charges.
Anwar, Ahmed and Shabbir were also accused of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Anwar was found guilty, Shabbir was acquitted and jurors could not reach a verdict in Ahmed’s case.
Prosecutors allege that the gunman is Mr Shabbir’s brother, named in court as Faizan Shabbir.