Gang member who caused massive fire after setting fire to shotgun ambush car jailed
A Walsall gang member involved in a shotgun ambush of drug-dealing rivals who then set fire to his car sparking a blaze which engulfed cars and homes has been jailed for 14 years.
Mohammed Enam Hussain, 27, was part of a four man hit squad, which included two children, led by gang leader Mohammed Rahman who got an addict to lure two dealers to Cobden Street, on May 4 2021.
Mohammed Enam Hussain, 27, was part of a four man hit squad, which included two children, led by gang leader Mohammed Rahman who got an addict to lure two dealers to Cobden Street, on May 4 2021.
Hussain rammed their car injuring the addict and wrecking the dealers car as Rahman, 32 of Appleton Avenue, Hamstead, pulled up and fired a shotgun, one of the victims still has a pellet lodged in his head.
Hussain was sentenced to 14 years and six months at Stafford Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday) three months after the three other defendants were jailed for over 30 years between them in August.
Hussain was tried separately after dropping out the original trial due to his mental state. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and arson and was found guilty of grievous bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to cause injury following a trial.
Prosecuting Richard Atkins KC said: "Hussain rammed the car into the dealers who had been lured there on the promise of a drug sale. He seriously injured a pedestrian.
"He, then set fire to the car he was driving, which in turn spread to another car and then to nearby homes placing a lot of people in danger. It was sheer luck nobody died on that day."
In mitigation, the court heard Hussain "accepted he had committed big boy crimes and expects a big boy sentence'.
However, he had been drawn to criminality after being sexually abused whilst in care as a child. Hussain was arrested after a car chase through Walsall shortly after the ambush.
Hussain, of Milton Street, Palfrey, was originally given bail but broke his curfew 67 times and was remanded in custody last April.
Judge Jonathan Gosling jailed Hussain for 14 years and six months and disqualified for driving for nine years and four months.
He said: "I have classed you as a dangerous offender. I jailed Rahman for 15 years as he was the leader. I am giving you a lower sentence than him. You will have to serve two thirds of your sentence."
He added: "I have disqualified you for nine years four months. You led police on a dangerous chase which would have been an 18 month sentence alone if you were not being sentenced for the other charges."
