Seven Jailed for Murder of Blackburn Student Aya Hachem
Seven men were convicted today for the murder of 19-year-old Aya Hachem and the attempted murder of her intended target, Pacha Khan, after a 12-week trial at Preston Crown Court. Aya was fatally shot in a barbaric drive-by attack in Blackburn, a deadly end to a vicious business feud.
The Crime and the Culprits
- Feroz Suleman, 40 – Mastermind and organiser of the hit.
- Abubakr Satia, 32 – Bought the getaway car and petrol for potential destruction.
- Kashif Manzoor, 26 – Maintained the car used to transport the shooter.
- Judy Chapman, 26 – Drove the gunmen to and from the scene; convicted of manslaughter.
- Uthman Satia, 29 – Chapman’s partner, also helped transport the shooters.
- Ayaz Hussain, 35 – Key organiser who linked Lancashire and Manchester conspirators.
- Zamir Raja, 33 – The gunman who fired the fatal shots.
- Anthony Ennis, 31 – Driver for the drive-by shooting.
Judy Chapman was found guilty of manslaughter but cleared of attempted murder charges related to Pacha Khan. The men will be sentenced Thursday, August 5, with Chapman’s sentencing expected in October.
A Plot Born from Business Rivalry Turns Deadly
The deadly shooting unfolded on King Street in Blackburn during Ramadan last May. Aya was on a routine shopping trip to Lidl to buy food for her family’s fast-breaking meal. As she walked by a car wash near the target’s business, she was tragically caught in the crossfire. The bullet passed through her body and lodged in a nearby telegraph pole.
The hit, meticulously planned over days, involved hiring an outside hitman, acquiring a stolen Toyota Avensis, and even a rehearsal drive by the gunman and driver. The motive? A bitter feud between Feroz Suleman, owner of RI Tyres, and Pacha Khan, owner of Quick Shine Car Wash next door, sparked by competition over tyre sales. The tension peaked after an incident at Quick Shine’s yard on May 1, 2020, where access was denied to RI Tyres’ workers.
Intense Police Hunt and International Manhunt
Dubbed Operation Colindale, the investigation saw 23 arrests and swept across Lancashire, Manchester, and beyond, tracking the suspects from Glasgow to Dublin, Lisbon, and even Spain and Portugal. Zamir Raja and Anthony Ennis fled the country but were eventually tracked and arrested thanks to meticulous police work, including CCTV reviews, phone forensics, and car data analysis.
Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo praised the police effort, saying, “This long and complex investigation has finally brought justice for Aya. Her family’s loss is immeasurable, but we’re relieved these criminals have been caught.”
Heartfelt Tributes from Aya’s Family
“We thank God for the justice served today. To our beautiful angel in heaven, you will remain forever in our hearts. Despite the struggles, you gave so much to your community and aspired to be a barrister. We thank the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Judge Turner, and the Blackburn community for their support in this difficult time,” the family said.
Aya’s tragic death is a stark reminder of how a petty business rivalry spiralled into a deadly vendetta, costing an innocent young life full of promise. The court’s verdict sends a strong message: crime will not pay, and justice will be served—even when it takes time.
