US woman convicted over failed assassination in UK

A US woman who was hired as a killer and tried to shoot a man in the UK at point-blank range has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

Would-be assassin Aimee Betro, from West Allis in Wisconsin, flew into the country as part of a plot to attack a British family in Birmingham in 2019, before going on the run for nearly five years.

Her co-conspirators had been involved in a feud with the family of intended target Sikander Ali, her trial heard.

During the case at Birmingham Crown Court, jurors heard Betro hid her identity using a niqab when she tried to fire shots on Measham Grove, Yardley, but her gun jammed and Mr Ali fled the scene unharmed.

Jurors deliberated for almost 21 hours before convicting Betro of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence, and a charge of illegally importing ammunition.

The defendant, wearing a purple T-shirt and with her hair in space buns, showed no obvious reaction and stared towards the jury bench as the verdicts were returned.

She was found guilty by a majority 11-1 verdict, on the conspiracy to murder and firearm charges, and by a unanimous verdict on the ammunition charge.

While she was on the run, Betro spent several years in Armenia, before being detained by authorities and extradited to face trial. She is due to be sentenced on 21 August.

Defence barrister Paul Lewis KC said he was not asking for pre-sentence reports as they would not assist the court.

Judge Simon Drew KC told the court: "I suspect Miss Betro would like to know the outcome of this case and there is nothing worse than sitting waiting."

During the trial, jurors were told that Betro had been involved in a conspiracy with two men - Mohammed Nazir and Mohammed Aslam - as part of their vendetta against Birmingham businessman Aslat Mahumad.

Prosecutors said revenge was the motive after Nazir and Aslam were injured during disorder at Mr Mahumad's clothing boutique in July 2018.

A plot was hatched, the court heard, to have someone kill Mr Mahumad or a member of his family.

The individual chosen for the purpose was Betro. But despite the events in which she was a key player, detectives have suggested that her records point to her having virtually no criminal past prior to the murder plot.

Nazir, 31, and his father Aslam, 59, both from Derby, were jailed last year after being convicted of conspiracy to murder.