Man jailed over gang’s armed attack on business

West Midlands Police A masked man holding a sawn-off shotgun which is being pointed towards an open door. He is wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, and red gloves. He is standing in what looks to be an office with desks and drawers insideWest Midlands Police
Five other men have already been jailed after the armed attack

A man has been jailed for eight years for his part in a shooting attack on a business in Smethwick.

Azeem Hussain, 26, from Walsall, admitted firearms offences at an earlier hearing at Worcester Crown Court.

Five other Walsall men have already been jailed after the planned armed attack that left two men in their 40s injured, West Midlands Police said.

Officers said after the hearing on Thursday that Hussain had been a key player in the operation.

West Midlands Police Azeem Hussain in a photo taken by police with a black beard, short black hair and a white topWest Midlands Police
Azeem Hussain admitted firearms offences at a previous hearing

Det Insp Francis Nock said: “This could have easily been a fatal attack but miraculously, the injuries of the two victims were not serious.

“Weapons have no place on our streets and we will continue to bring those to justice who think it’s acceptable to use them.”

Police said the group attacked City Computers on Bertram Road on 12 January.

A Ford Fiesta pulled up outside the business before the group carried out the attack.

Two men had an axe and two had a shotgun.

Officers said shots were fired at the business and windows and doors were smashed.

One victim was hit in the arm by gunshot and another victim had a neck injury.

Hussain fled the country soon after the incident, police said, but was arrested after he returned to the UK in April this year.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Related internet links