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Judge blasts murder trial 'disaster' as six walk free
A JUDGE has branded a Sheffield murder trial a "disaster for the criminal justice system" after the trial collapsed and six men walked free from court.
Three brothers – Mohim, Mukid and Munaim Khan – as well as Jay Allen, Saul Mohsin and Mohammed Hussain Shaffique, went on trial in April at Sheffield Crown Court, charged with conspiring to murder Safrajur Jahangir in a feud between two Asian families.
Mr Jahangir, 23, was shot twice in the head at close range as he responded to a bogus curry order in Scraith Wood Drive, Shirecliffe, last August.
However, after a nine-week trial, all six have now walked free from court after Mr Justice Sweeney QC formally entered not guilty verdicts and said there had been "failures on a disturbing scale."
The judge said the men had been denied a fair trial because the prosecution failed to disclose vital evidence which could have helped the defence case.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said they were "extremely disappointed" with the outcome and added: "We now need time to study very carefully the series of events and issues that have led to this result. A thorough review of the investigation and prosecution will now take place.
"This was a hugely complex case involving many hours of painstaking investigative work and we are saddened by this outcome.
"It should be remembered, however, that South Yorkshire Police have a strong track record in securing convictions.
"We appreciate that this will be of little comfort to the relatives and friends of Safrajur Jahangir and our thoughts are very much with them at this time."
It is thought that the cost to the taxpayer of the collapsed case could run to more than 1m.
Neil Franklin, of Yorkshire and Humberside CPS, said: "During the course of the trial, further information became available which called into question whether there was a realistic prospect of conviction in this case.
"Accordingly, I have conferred with the head of the CPS Complex Casework Unit responsible for the conduct of the case, the Chief Crown Prosecutor and both barristers instructed by the prosecution and Assistant Chief Constable Holt.
"All of us were unanimously of the view that there was indeed no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and, as a consequence, the Crown offered no evidence and the defendants were formally acquitted.
"We informed Mr Jahangir's family of the decision before announcing it in court and we wish to thank them and the prosecution witnesses for the support that they have given to the investigation and prosecution during what must have been a very difficult time."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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