Setback for trial date in wake of gun death

THE TRIAL of a car driver whose passenger was shot dead on a slip road of the M62 during a police operation has been delayed for seven months.

Moshin Amin, 31, was due to go on trial on April 23 this year over charges relating to the incident in which 28-year-old Mohammed Yassar Yaqub was shot dead by a police marksman.

The incident took place at Ainley Top, near junction 24 of the motorway, on January 2, 2017.

Amin, previously of Broomer Street, Dewsbury, but now living at a bail address in Manchester, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and one of possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Leeds Crown Court heard the trial date has been put back until the autumn as two other men are likely to go on trial with him in relation to the incident.

Rexhino Arapaj, 26, from Thornlea Road, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield, and David Butlin, 37, of Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, have been jointly charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon.

The two defendants are yet to enter pleas to the charges.

Peter Moulson, QC, prosecuting, told the court that Amin’s original trial date, starting on April 23, had been expected to last two weeks.

Mr Moulson said it was estimated that a trial would now be expected to take up to four weeks to complete if two other defendants were included in the trial.

Amin’s trial had previously been put back because of delays caused by a separate investigation into the incident by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The trial is likely to begin on November 12 or 13 this year before a High Court judge.