Two men charged with the murder of Blackburn teen to appear at Preston Crown Court tomorrow

By Emma Downey
Published 27th Jan 2022, 16:43 BST
Updated 28th Jan 2022, 09:32 BST
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Two men charged with the murder of 19-year-old Aya Hachem will appear in Preston Crown Court tomorrow.

Law student Aya, 19, was killed on Sunday, May, 17, as she walked by Quick Shine Car Wash, King Street in Blackburn and was struck by a stray bullet shot from a passing Toyota Avensis.

The bullet went through her body and was embedded in a telegraph pole.

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Eight people were last year jailed for a total of more than 200 years following a trial for their involvement in the murder of Aya and the attempted murder of Pacha Khan, the intended target of the shooting.

17-year-old Aya Hachem who was murdered last May as she walked past Quick Shine Car Wash, King Street in Blackburn and was struck by a stray bullet shot from a passing Toyota Avensis.17-year-old Aya Hachem who was murdered last May as she walked past Quick Shine Car Wash, King Street in Blackburn and was struck by a stray bullet shot from a passing Toyota Avensis.
17-year-old Aya Hachem who was murdered last May as she walked past Quick Shine Car Wash, King Street in Blackburn and was struck by a stray bullet shot from a passing Toyota Avensis.
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Now, following a review of the evidence two more men have been arrested and charged.

Both were interviewed in the early stages of the investigation and released without charge but following a further review of the evidence, and advice from Nicholas Johnson QC who represented the prosecution at trial, the Crown Prosecution Service has now authorised charges of Murder (Aya Hachem) and Attempted Murder (Pacha Khan) for Suhayl Suleman, 37, of Shear Brow, Blackburn and Lewis Otway, 41, of Clitheroe Road, Manchester.

Otway was arrested last night in the Dudley area of the West Midlands and Suleman was arrested in Blackburn.

Related topics:BlackburnKing Street

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