Leeds drug dealer jailed for 26 years for murder of rival

Masum Ahmed, 20, was told he must serve a minimum of 26 years in prison over the killing of Shuel Ali Hussain.

Ahmed was found guilty of murder after a jury heard how he lured Mr Hussain to Pasture Road, Harehills, before blasting him at close range with a semi automatic pistol.

Ahmed then took Mr Hussain’s mobile phones in order to prevent police linking him to the killing.

Mr Hussain staggered from his car to a nearby shop but died from his injuries before emergency services arrived.

Leeds Crown Court heard Ahmed was a successful drug dealer in his own right despite his young age, earning around £1,700 week, and was supplied drugs by Mr Hussain.

It is thought Ahmed may have carried out the murder as he owed Mr Hussain £30,000 over a kilo of heroin.

Peter Moulson, QC, prosecuting, said: “He sourced and obtained a loaded pistol and obtained a meeting with Shuel Ali Hussain.

“That was the only way out of the defendant’s difficulties.”

After the killing, Ahmed enlisted the help of his father and four other men to cover up the killing.

They helped him dispose of his clothing in order to hide forensic evidence and gave him shelter so he could “lie low” during the police investigation.

Ahmed, of Airlie Avenue, Chapeltown, was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He pleaded guilty to supplying heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

Ahmed was told he must serve a minimum of 26 years in prison but may spend even longer in custody if he is still considered a danger to the public.

Mr Justice Openshaw said: “This was no impulsive killing. It was planned. Furthermore the defendant is obviously highly intelligent and a successful dealer in his own right.

“He has not shown the slightest regret or remorse for what he has done.”

Detective Inspector Richard Holmes, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Shuel Ali Hussain’s murder was a completely unnecessary act of violence that shows the appallingly tragic consequences that can result when people are prepared to carry and use firearms.

“Mr Hussain’s family have been left devastated at his sudden and violent death at such a relatively young age. We hope they will take some degree of comfort from knowing that the people involved have now had to face the consequences of their actions.

Ahmed’s father, Nadeem Mohammed Ahmed, 43, also of Airlie Avenue, was sentenced to 18 months after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender.

Yakub Miah, 42, of St Martins Gardens, Potternewton, was also jailed for 18 months after being found guilty of the same offences.

Tristan Gatewood, 22, of Hall Lane, Chapeltown, and Mohammed Ashad Miah, 18, of Hill Crest Avenue, Harehills, were jailed for 18 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Rajak Miah, 21, of Bishopthorpe Road, York, was jailed for 12 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice.