The family of Aya Hachem have paid heartfelt tribute after a second man has been convicted of the murder of the 19-year-old Salford University student.
Aya was shot dead at 3pm on Sunday May 17 2020 whilst walking along King Street, Blackburn. She had been going food shopping for her family during Ramadan, when she was caught in the middle of a deadly long-running feud between two local business owners, Feroz Suleman, the owner of RI Tyres, and Pachah Khan, the owner of Quickshine Tyres.
The court previously heard how the shot that killed Aya was fired by hit-man Zamir Raja, and was intended for Pachah Khan.
Louis Otway was found guilty of both the murder of Aya Hachem and the attempted murder of Pachah Khan at Preston Crown Court.
Paying tribute, Aya’s family thanked God for the ‘justice that has been served today’, saying ‘you will remain in our hearts forever’.
“We thank God for the justice that has been served today,” they said. “To our dear beautiful angel in heaven we know you are in a better and more beautiful place. God chose you from amongst many and blessed you with martyrdom.
“We are so proud of you and we miss you so much – our lives are difficult without you. This is God’s decree and praise be to God for this. You will remain in our hearts forever.
“You loved life and despite all the struggles and barriers that we faced in this country it did not stop you contributing to your community and Charites including the Children’s Society and fundraising at Salford University where you were studying to become a barrister. You have been awarded your certificate posthumously and your name is now on the Law Society’s roll of solicitors.
“God chose you as an Angel in his heaven. Heaven is yours and may God give us the patience after your murder. We love you.”
Otway, of Clitheroe Road, Manchester was hired to organise a hit on Pacha Khan after an escalation of business rivalries, the jury was told.
He joins eight people already sentenced in August 2021 after they were convicted over roles in the shooting – Feroz Suleman, Zamir Raja, Anthony Ennis, Ayaz Hussain, Abubakr Satia, Uthman Satia and Kashif Manzoor were all jailed after being found guilty of murder and attempted murder in a trial last year. Uthman Satia’s girlfriend, Judy Chapman, was jailed after being convicted of manslaughter.
