Man involved in the killing of law student in failed drive-by shooting jailed for life

An eighth man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of law student Aya Hachem who was hit by a stray bullet during the attempted murder of Pachah Khan.

Louis Junior Otway, 42, has just been sentenced to a minimum of 32 years' imprisonment for the murder of Aya Hachem and 27 years for the attempted murder of Pachah Khan to run concurrently, after being convicted of both offences following a four-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

CPS North West issued a press release after seven people were previously convicted of murdering Aya Hachem and one person was convicted of manslaughter at an earlier trial in October last year.

The case centred around two rival businesses in Blackburn. The on-going feud between Pachah Khan, who owned Quick Shine Car Wash, and Feroz Suleman, owner of neighbouring business RI Tyres, led to the death of 19-year-old Aya Hachem, who was shot as she was passing the businesses on King Street around 3pm on 17 May 2020.

Ms Hachem was hit by a stray bullet, fired from a passing vehicle, that was meant for Pachah Kahn. After she fell to the ground, many passers-by stopped and tried to help, but sadly, her injuries were fatal.

The elaborate and ruthless plan was instigated by Feroz Suleman of RI Tyres. It was he, along with his associates, who arranged for a gunman and driver to carry out the drive-by shooting on 17 May 2020.

Alan Richardson, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West's Complex Casework Unit, said: "Louis Junior Otway played a part in the senseless killing of Law student Aya Hachem – a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. He was the key link between the offenders from Blackburn and the offenders from Manchester and helped to organise the shooting.

"The Crown Prosecution Service worked hard with Lancashire's Major Investigation Team to deliver Justice for Ms Hachem's family.

"Meticulous investigation, evidence gathering, and case building has led to Otway being found guilty of the part he played in Aya's death in addition to the seven previously convicted.

"My thoughts are with Aya Hachem's family and friends."