Man guilty of East Ham businessman’s manslaughter

Sophie Morton

Published: 9:51 AM September 14, 2016 Updated: 5:57 PM November 27, 2020

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Undated handout file photo issued by West Midlands Police of Akhtar Javeed. The family of the murder victim who was tied up and shot in the head during a warehouse raid have urged anyone harbouring his alleged killer to turn him in. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday September 14, 2016. Tahir Zarif - who prosecutors claim shot Akhtar Javeed in the legs, throat and mouth - is at the centre of an international manhunt after flying to Pakistan following the killing last February. See PA story COURTS Digbeth. Photo credit should read: West Midlands Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. - Credit: PA

An armed robber has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a father-of-four from East Ham who was shot at point-blank range during a warehouse raid.

Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of Suraj Mistry, who was acquitted of murdering Akhtar Javeed, a father of four who was shot at point-blank range during a warehouse raid, but convicted of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of firearms with intent to cause fear of violence after a six-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday September 13, 2016. See PA story COURTS Digbeth. Photo credit should read: West Midlands Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. - Credit: PA

Suraj Mistry was yesterday acquitted of murdering businessman Akhtar Javeed but convicted of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of firearms with intent to cause fear of violence after a six-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Jurors deliberated for more than 11 hours over three days and cleared a second defendant, Lemar Wali, of murder and manslaughter but convicted him of conspiracy to rob.

The jury panel has yet to reach a verdict on two firearms charges denied by Wali and will resume its discussions this morning.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Javeed, 58, was shot by Tahir Zarif, who is believed to have travelled to Pakistan days after the shooting at a catering supplies firm on February 3 this year.

Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of Lemar Wali, who was cleared of the murder and manslaughter of Akhtar Javeed, a father of four who was shot at point-blank range during a warehouse raid, but was convicted of conspiracy to rob at Birmingham Crown Court. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday September 13, 2016. See PA story COURTS Digbeth. Photo credit should read: West Midlands Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. - Credit: PA

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Jurors were told Mistry, 26, of Laundon Way, Leicester, took part in the raid in Digbeth, Birmingham, along with Zarif after both men were driven to the scene by Wali.

Wali, 19, of Osmaston Park Road, Derby, told the trial he took Mistry and Zarif to the warehouse in Rea Street South but did not know they were armed.