Abdullah Hassan: Four found guilty of plot to murder Sheffield man, 25, by luring him out of flat to shoot him
Four conspirators have been found guilty of a plot to lure a Sheffield man out of his flat in the dark and shoot him dead.
Abdullah Hassan was just 25 years old when he was fatally shot, in an incident on Callow Drive, Gleadless Valley, shortly at around 1.13am on April 9, 2023.
He was killed when he received a phone call asking him to come out of his flat in the dead of night - where three figures “emerged from the shadows” and shot him.
Now, four people have been found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of conspiracy to murder Abdullah, in a plot involving getaway drivers and a plan to lure him out his home.
They are; Alex Taff, 31, of Springfields, Catcliffe; Andrew Horton, 47, of HMP Doncaster; Osai Williams, 29, of HMP Lowdham Grange; and they were led by Demi Dunford, 29, of Derby Street, Heeley, who had been in a dispute with Abdullah for weeks about drugs and organised the plan to kill him.
A fifth woman, Emma Horton, 38, of Blackstock Road, Gleadless Valley, who is also Andrew Horton’s sister, was convicted of perverting the course of justice.
Prosecutor Stephen Wood KC told the jury at the opening on November 11: “It was a cold blooded, targeted shooting and murder. That is the real essence of the case.
“One person would have pulled the trigger. But we, the crown, say four people are responsible for his murder.
“Each of those four people, you will see, played a crucial role in his death.”
Dunford was also found guilty of two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, and Andrew Horton was convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The plot was hatched on April 8 after Abdullah enjoyed a barbecue with friends and family before sitting up until the early hours of April 9 with his brother at his flat on Callow Drive.
However, half a mile away, at Demi Dunford’s flat on Derby Street, a plan was set in motion that would end in 25-year-old Abdullah losing his life.
Evidence from CCTV, forensics, mobile phone data, and ballistic reports would later show officers that Dunford had been engaged in a dispute with Abdullah for several weeks over drugs.
Keen to prove her status, Dunford orchestrated a plan with Taff, Horton and Williams to shoot Abdullah.
Mr Wood said: “Just prior to the shooting, at about 1.06am, three figures in dark clothing are pictured on CCTV walking along the path from Derby Street in the direction of Callow Drive.
“...Those three were Osai Williams, Demi Dunford, and Alexander Taff, while Andrew Horton - who was the armourer who supplied the firearm - waited at Demi’s flat on Derby Street to drive them away after the shooting.”
When they arrived on Callow Drive, Taff phoned Abdullah on the pretence of buying drugs from him.
Mr Wood said: “...the real reason for that call was to lure him from his premises on the 8th floor.
“And when he emerged from the exit, one of those three stepped out of the shadows and shot Mr Hassan in the leg.”
The gang fled the scene and attempted to cover up the plot.
Meanwhile, Abdullah limped back inside and hauled himself up to the second floor of the flat block, where he collapsed.
The bullet completely severed his femoral artery and he suffered catastrophic blood loss.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics and residents in the flat block, nothing could be done to save him and he died on the staircase.
Meanwhile, Dunford and Williams fled from Sheffield to London, and to Southend-on-Sea, staying overnight in accommodation. After travelling back to Sheffield, Dunford was arrested.
Two days after the murder, Andrew Horton, alongside his sister Emma Horton, took his car that had been used to drive Dunford and Williams away from the scene, to a car wash in the Attercliffe area of the city to get it valeted. This was an attempt to clean away any forensic evidence linking Andrew Horton to the murder.
Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles, said: “After a lengthy investigation, justice has been secured for Abdullah, and our thoughts remain with all who loved him.
“Gun crime and drugs are inseparably linked, with disputes over supply, territory, and profit often spiralling into violence, and in this case, murder.
“This dangerous connection does not only affect those directly involved; it creates volatile situations where innocent people can tragically be caught in the crossfire. That is why we are determined to remove these dangerous offenders from our communities.
“The ripple effect of drugs and firearms spreads fear, destabilises neighbourhoods, and underlines the urgent need for communities to support our efforts.
“Together, we can ensure that offenders like Dunford, Taff, Horton, and Williams remain behind bars.
“Yesterday’s verdict brings closure to a lengthy and complex investigation, and I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed, including members of the public and my team of officers who worked tirelessly to achieve justice for Abdullah and his family.”
Sentencing has been adjourned until January 2026.