Shooting trial must restart with new jury

THE trial of three men accused of plotting a shooting with Yassar Yaqub will have to restart with a new jury.

Moshin Amin, Rexhino Arapaj and David Butlin have all denied plotting to carry out a shooting with their associate Mr Yaqub during a possible ‘feud’ in January last year.

A jury of six men and six women were sworn in at Leeds Crown Court last week and heard how the four men were in two cars travelling in convoy when the 28-year-old, of Crosland Moor, was shot dead by a police marksman.

The court also heard that the two cars were later found to contain at least seven phones – most of which were encrypted, a fully operational Russian pistol with ‘obliterated’ serial numbers, a magazine of ammunition and a silencer.

On Monday, Mr Justice Turner discharged the jury which had been hearing the case and ordered the trial to resume with a new jury. Dismissing the jurors, he said: “I am going to discharge you from further involvement in this case.”

All three defendants deny conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Butlin, 39, previously of Upper Sunny Bank in Meltham, but now living on Huddersfield Road in Holmfirth, also denies having an offensive weapon, namely a push dagger.

Amin, 32, is previously of Broomer Street, Ravensthorpe, but now living at a bail address in Manchester, and Arapaj 28, is of Thornlea Road in Crosland Moor.

The trial will resume with a new jury on Monday.