Three men have been given extended jail sentences for their part in the shooting of a drug dealer who survived being hit in the chest.

Judge Guy Kearl QC described Hasnain Khan, Owais Ashfaq and Ahmed Mohammed as dangerous young men when he sentenced them at Leeds Crown Court for the premeditated attack on Aftab Khan on February 1 this year.

He was shot in his car in front of his horrified girlfriend after being lured to Cemetery Road, Dewsbury, for a drug deal.

The trio were also sentenced for other offences the same night when they threatened motorists at gunpoint to steal a replacement getaway car after their vehicle was damaged as Mr Khan escaped.

Police investigations into the shooting at Cemetery Road, Dewsbury
Police investigations into the shooting at Cemetery Road, Dewsbury

Hasnain Khan, 19 of Carrington Street, Bradford and Mohammed, 18 of Bowling Green Lane, Longsight, Manchester were each sentenced to 15 years in custody with an extended five years on licence.

They were both acquitted of attempting to murder Mr Khan but found guilty by a jury of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, attempted robbery of a couple in a car and robbery of another motorist.

Judge Kearl said he was satisfied Khan was organising “and pulling the strings” of those involved while from the description of the shooter it was Mohammed who had travelled across the Pennines who actually fired the gun.

Owais Ashfaq, 18 of Gladstone Street, Barkerend, Bradford was sentenced to 17 years in custody with five years extended licence.

Hasnain Khan - jailed for 'pulling the strings' ahead of the shooting

He was convicted of the same offences by the jury but also admitted an attempted robberyat a Bradford o ff-licence on July 11 last year, the possession of an imitation firearm on the same date and possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply on another date.

The judge said it was Ashfaq who had earlier met up with Mr Khan and bought some cannabis from him in a test run. He was then directed to a dark cul-de-sac later that evening so Ashfaq could buy some more.

Having lowered his window to hand cannabis over the car was surrounded by others and a 6ft man in a balaclava fired a sawn-off shotgun into the side of Mr Khan’s chest.

He was able to drive off but collided with the Golf, leaving its bumper hanging off. He made it to his uncle’s and was taken to hospital where he had surgery to remove pellets and wadding from his chest. He said he felt lucky to be alive.

Owais Ashfaq - jailed for 17 years

The court heard the damaged Golf was driven to Staincliffe Road where the attackers decided they needed a replacement getaway vehicle. They pulled up behind Ben Li Shen and his wife Amy who had just closed their takeaway food shop as they stopped at lights in Dewsbury Gate Road junction with Halifax Road.

Two men from the Golf threatened them at gunpoint and tried to open doors without success. The terrified couple managed to drive off and alert the police.

But another motorist John Buchan was spotted in his Peugeot car waiting for his wife in Goose Hill, Heckmondwike. When Mr Buchan got out, suspicious about the Golf occupants, he was forced to his knees at gunpoint, made to hand over his keys and wallet and his car was driven off. It was later damaged by fire.

Judge Kearl said those victims must have been terrified for their lives, even more so had they known the group had already shot someone.

Ahmed Mohammed - jailed for 15 years

Peter Birkett QC for Ashfaq said a report indicated he was “young, poorly educated and easily led without real appreciation of the harm and fear the offences would cause in others.”

The court heard Mohammed told a probation officer he had been “trying to make a name for himself.”

Detective Chief Inspector Sue Jenkinson of West Yorkshire Police, Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said: “We are pleased to see these men behind bars today for quite outrageous displays of violence in our communities.

“It is no exaggeration to say their 24-year-old victim could easily have been killed and we are pleased the court has reflected the seriousness of how authorities take the discharge of firearms in its sentencing.

Det Chief Insp Sue Jenkinson, of West Yorkshire Police.

“This sentencing should make it clear that those who are involved in such serious offences will spend a significant amount of time behind bars.”

She added: “The force now has a specialist Firearms Prevent Team which investigates gun crime and I would urge anyone who has information about the possession of firearms in West Yorkshire can contact them on 101.

“Reports can also be made in complete anonymity to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”