UK - Asghar 'Oscar' Badshah, 39, concealed inside bank walls, Batley, West Yorkshire, Dec 2019

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Four people have been charged over the kidnap and murder of a bus driver in 2019.

Asghar Badshah, 39, from Bradford, was taken from Mayo Road in the early hours of 30 November.

His body was found a month later, on 29 December, in a disused building on Commercial Street in Batley.

Asghar Badshah: Four charged over bus driver's kidnap and murder

Police Appeal As Four In Court For Kidnap and Murder Investigation

Saturday, 22 May 2021

Two men and two women are due to appear before magistrates after being charged in connection with the kidnap and murder of a Bradford man in 2019.

The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team is continuing to investigate the murder of Asghar Badshah, who was kidnapped from Mayo Road in Bradford in the early hours of 30 November 2019 and whose body was recovered from the old bank, Commercial Street, Batley on 29 December 2019.

As part of investigations three arrests were made in Bradford and one in Surrey on Thursday.

The following people are due to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court today (Saturday).

Qaisar Shah (36) from Mayo Crescent, Bradford, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Sabbah Shahmuradi (36) from French Wells in Woking, has been charged with murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Sobia Syed (37) from Henna Close, Bradford, has been charged with conspiracy to possess criminal property, as has Zaban Syed, (60) from Mayo Road, Bradford.

Detective Chief Inspector Heather Whoriskey, who is leading the investigation, said:

“A major policing investigation has been underway into Mr Badshah’s kidnap and murder since 2019.

“We are continuing to follow a number of active lines of enquiry in what has been a long running and complex case.

“I want to reiterate that we very much are still appealing for information, and I would ask anyone who has information who has not yet come forward to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 101, referencing Operation Plumeham.

“Information can always also be given in total anonymity to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.”

Police Appeal As Four In Court For Kidnap and Murder Investigation | West Yorkshire Police

 

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Google Maps

Mayo Road, Bradford (site of kidnapping) to the old Yorkshire Bank, Commercial Street, Batley (8 miles away)

Google Maps



Google Street View

The old locked-up bank Google Maps

 

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Some old articles -

30 December 2019 :

We are looking into reports of armed police incident closing off an area of Batley.

There’s a heavy police presence and Hick Lane, by the Wellington pub, has been closed off near a set of traffic lights.

Our reporter at the scene has seen that police are guarding a door into a former Yorkshire Bank building.

Bus routes have also been rerouted through the town centre.

In this live blog, we’ll bring you the latest news on the incident as we get it.

Police statement over Batley town centre incident - live updates


31 December 2019 :

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder after a body was found in a former bank branch.

Police forced their way into the disused building on Commercial Street in Batley, West Yorkshire, on Sunday.

The building was previously used by the Yorkshire Bank, but the branch closed in 2016.

Batley murder probe after body found in former bank



Two men, aged 27 and 30, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder have been released under investigation.

A 41-year-old woman was released on bail pending further inquiries.

Det Ch Insp Heather Whoriskey said Mr Badshah was reported missing on 4 December.

She added: "We believe he was last seen in the early hours of 30 November and I would appeal to anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in Commercial Street around that time or since to contact my team."

Police identify man found dead in former Batley bank


Armed police were seen forcing entry to the premises on Commercial Street in Batley on Sunday afternoon.

The body, believed to be that of a man, was found inside a wall cavity, according to The Sun.

Murder investigation launched after police find body in abandoned bank


4 January 2020 :

THE twin of a man who was found dead in a bank has spoken of an "amazing brother" who was much-loved and well-known across Bradford.

Asghar Badshah, 39, of Bradford - who was also known as Oscar - was found dead inside the old Yorkshire Bank, in Commercial Street, Batley, on Sunday, December 29.

Tributes have flooded in for "a rare diamond", since his body was formally identified on New Year's Eve.

The 39-year-old's twin brother, Akbar, admitted it was hard to put into words what the loss means to him, the family and the extensive list of people who knew him.

Twin pays tribute to 'amazing brother' whose body was found in former bank


8 September 2020 :

Asghar ‘Oscar’ Badshah, 39, a bus driver for First, was found dead in the former Yorkshire Bank building, in Commercial Street, Batley on Sunday, December 29.

A murder investigation was launched two days later, on New Year’s Eve. The next day, two men, aged 27 and 30, as well as a 41-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

[...]

The brief hearing, which took place yesterday at Bradford Coroners’ Court, heard Mr Badshah had been reported as a missing person by his family on December 4 last year and they had last seen him on November 29.

Assistant Coroner Oliver Longstaff said he was subsequently found dead at premises on Commercial Street in Batley.


He said a post-mortem examination had been carried out, but no further details were given as to its findings.

Inquest opens into death of man whose body was found in old bank building

 

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A man and woman accused of conspiring to kidnap then murder a Bradford man have appeared in court.

Qaisar Shah and Sabbah Shahmuradi, both aged 36, appeared in Leeds Magistrates Court this morning (Saturday)


Shah, of Mayo Crescent, Bradford, and Shahmuradi, of French Wells, Woking, have both been charged with murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Shah has also been charged with conspiracy to possess criminal property.



Two other people have been charged in the case - Sobia Syed, 37, of Henna Close, Bradford, and Zaban Syed, 60, of Mayo Road, Bradford.

The Syeds have been charged with conspiracy to possess criminal property.



Shah and Shahmuradi are due to appear at Bradford Crown Court for a bail hearing on Tuesday.

The Syeds are due to appear at Bradford Crown Court for a plea hearing on June 21.

The four defendants were remanded in custody after the hearing.

Murder-accused duo appear in court after body found in Batley bank wall

 

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From 2009:

It is claimed he wanted a hitman to kill Diane Holliday as part of a bitter dispute over his father's legacy.

Guney allegedly first approached Sabbah Shahmuradi, a grave digger at the cemetery in Woking.

Mr Shahmuradi, a convicted criminal, later told police about Guney’s request after being arrested for robbery, the Old Bailey heard.

Guney 'wanted murder to look like accident'

BBM.

 

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From 2009:

It is claimed he wanted a hitman to kill Diane Holliday as part of a bitter dispute over his father's legacy.

Guney allegedly first approached Sabbah Shahmuradi, a grave digger at the cemetery in Woking.

Mr Shahmuradi, a convicted criminal, later told police about Guney’s request after being arrested for robbery, the Old Bailey heard.

Guney 'wanted murder to look like accident'

BBM.

Hmm, isn't the one in this case a woman? I must admit I'm not sure with the names.

 

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Hmm, isn't the one in this case a woman? I must admit I'm not sure with the names.

Yeah, pretty sure Sobia is female, not sure who the other one is. I could have the wrong person.

 

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Bradford Crown Court 1 T20217141
Qaisar Ali Ibrar Shah
Sabbah Shahmuradi
Details: Plea and Trial Preparation - Case Started - 09:31
Plea and Trial Preparation - Case to be listed for Trial on 11-Jan-2022 - 09:44

https://www.thelawpages.com/court-hearings-lists/Bradford-Crown-Court.php

 

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A TRIAL date has been set for the two men accused of kidnapping and murdering a Bradford man, whose body was found in an old bank.

Qaisar Shah, 36, of Mayo Crescent in Bradford and Sabbah Shahmuradi, 36, of French's Wells in Woking, face charges of murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Shah is also charged with conspiracy to possess criminal property. All the charges are in relation to the death of Asghar Badshah, from Bradford.

Shah appeared in the dock at Bradford Crown Court this morning. Shahmuradi was not produced.


Asghar Badshah: trial date set for pair accused of murdering Bradford bus driver

 

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From 21st Sep 2021 -

"Asghar Badshah, 39, was kidnapped from Mayo Road, Bradford, in the early hours of November 30 in 2019.

His body was found hidden inside a wall cavity at a disused bank in Commercial Street, Batley, on December 29 that same year.

Two men had already been charged with his murder and are due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court in January, but detectives have also now charged Liam Buckley, from Berkshire, with murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

The 34-year-old, of Lynwood Crescent, Sunningdale, appeared at Leeds Crown Court today (Tuesday) and was remanded into custody."

Man named and charged over murder after body found inside wall


28-10-2021 Bradford 1 T20217141
Qaisar Ali Ibrar Shah
Details:
For Plea - Hearing finished for QAISAR ALI IBRAR SHAH - 14:05


12-01-2022 Bradford 7 T20217286
T20217158
T20217141
Liam Buckley
Qaisar Ali Ibrar Shah
Sabbah Shahmuradi
Sobia Syed
Zaban Syed
Details:
For Plea - Case Started - 14:04
For Plea - Case to be listed for Sentence on 08-Feb-2022 - 14:15
For Plea - Hearing finished for LIAM BUCKLEY - 14:18


From 12th Jan 2022 -

"Qaisar Shah originally faced a charge of murder over the death of Mr Badshah in late 2019, but back in October last year the 36-year-old’s guilty plea to manslaughter was accepted by the prosecution.

His plea can now be revealed today (Wed) after the Recorder of Bradford Judge Richard Mansell QC confirmed a date for sentence for Shah, of Mayo Crescent, Bradford, and three other defendants who have also pleaded guilty to related charges on an acceptable basis.

This afternoon Liam Buckley, 34, of Lynwood Crescent, Sunningdale, Berkshire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap Mr Badshah.

A third defendant Sabbah Shahmuradi, 36, of French's Wells, Woking, has already admitted the same conspiracy to kidnap offence while the fourth defendant Sobia Syed, 37, of Henna Close, Bradford, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to acquire or possess criminal property.

Shah himself has already admitted the kidnap conspiracy charge and the conspiracy to acquire or possess criminal property."

Man admits killing bus driver after body found in disused bank



"All will be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 8 February."

Asghar Badshah death: Qaisar Shah admits kidnap and manslaughter

 

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The three men and one woman are due to be sentenced at 2.30pm at Bradford Crown Court tomorrow (Tuesday, February 8) from 2.30pm, appearing in front of His Honour Judge Tom Bayliss QC.

The Telegraph & Argus will be reporting live from the hearing, providing live coverage on our website as it happens, so you can read everything said as the case draws to a close.

When Asghar Badshah's kidnappers and killer will be sentenced

 

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1:00pm

Welcome to live coverage of today's sentencing in the case of Asghar Badshah, due to get underway at 2.30pm at Bradford Crown Court.


1:01pm

Three men and one woman are due to be sentenced today over the death and disappearance of Mr Badshah, 39, in December 2019.


1:03pm

They offences they are due to be sentenced for are:

• Qaisar Shah, 36, of Mayo Crescent, West Bowling - manslaughter, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to possess criminal property.
• Sabbah Shahmuradi, 36, of French’s Wells, Woking, Surrey - conspiracy to kidnap.
• Liam Buckley, 34, of Lynwood Crescent, Sunningdale, Berkshire - conspiracy to kidnap.
• Sobia Syed, 37, of Henna Close, Great Horton - conspiracy to possess criminal property.

1:04pm

They all pleaded guilty dramatically on what was meant to be the opening day of their trial.

You can look back at that moment by clicking here.


1:06pm

Asghar Badshah was kidnapped late in November 2019 and was never seen again, with his body discovered a month later on December 29, 2019, hidden in a derelict old bank building in Commercial Street in the heart of Batley town centre.

There were rumours, which police refused to comment on, that his body had been hidden in a wall cavity at the building.


1:08pm

Twins Akbar and Asghar Badshah

His death caused an outpouring of grief from his friends and family.

Take a look back at the heart breaking tribute paid by his twin brother here, who described Asghar as a "rare diamond".

He also spoke 18 months later about the struggles the family have had to face waiting for justice, which you can read here.


1:09pm

Many friends also paid tribute to the popular man, who was a bus driver with First West Yorkshire, which you can read here.

LIVE: Sentencing of killer and kidnappers in Asghar Badshah trial

 

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1:12pm

You can take a look back here to 2019 to when the story initially broke.

1:14pm

LIVE: Sentencing of killer and kidnappers in Asghar Badshah trial

 

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2:05pm

We are having to tune in via a video link at court to follow the sentencing as the court is full due to social distancing restrictions.


2:10pm

The presiding judge in today's sentencing is His Honour Mr Tom Bayliss QC.

The hearing will get underway in around 20 minutes' time.


2:37pm

Judge Bayliss has taken his seat in court


2:41pm

Due to circumstances we cannot disclose there will be no further reporting from today's hearing.

We apologise for that.


LIVE: Sentencing of killer and kidnappers in Asghar Badshah trial



I've never heard anything like it!

Four guilty adult defendants being sentenced.

 

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2:05pm

We are having to tune in via a video link at court to follow the sentencing as the court is full due to social distancing restrictions.


2:10pm

The presiding judge in today's sentencing is His Honour Mr Tom Bayliss QC.

The hearing will get underway in around 20 minutes' time.


2:37pm

Judge Bayliss has taken his seat in court


2:41pm

Due to circumstances we cannot disclose there will be no further reporting from today's hearing.

We apologise for that.


LIVE: Sentencing of killer and kidnappers in Asghar Badshah trial



I've never heard anything like it!

Four guilty adult defendants being sentenced.

This is really strange. I wonder if we won't get to know the reason behind all this.

 

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Perhaps it was government business?! The only time I've seen secrecy is with minors or "in the interests of national security". I can't see why this lot should be protected, or why the manslaughter plea was accepted instead of murder.

 

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Perhaps it was government business?! The only time I've seen secrecy is with minors or "in the interests of national security". I can't see why this lot should be protected, or why the manslaughter plea was accepted instead of murder.

What about the possibility of more defendants to come? I think there was a CSE case where there were too many defendants to try at once so there were reporting restrictions until all the trials were finished, prompting Tommy Robinson to claim it was a cover up.

 

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What about the possibility of more defendants to come? I think there was a CSE case where there were too many defendants to try at once so there were reporting restrictions until all the trials were finished, prompting Tommy Robinson to claim it was a cover up.

That would make sense.

 

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10 Feb 2022

A MAN has been arrested in Turkey and is in the process of being extradited back to the UK in connection with the death of Bradford bus driver Asghar Badshah.

The man, named by Telegraph & Argus sources as Tahir Syed, is believed to have been oversees for two years following the alleged kidnapping and killing of Mr Badshah.

However, T&A sources told us in early January he had been tracked down and arrested in Turkey and is awaiting extradition back to the UK in connection with the case.


In January, West Yorkshire Police said they could “neither confirm nor deny” the man had been arrested in connection with the case at the time, and provided no further updates when approached again by the T&A.

EXCLUSIVE: Man arrested in Turkey awaiting extradition over death of Asghar Badshah

 

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1st March 2022 -

AN inquest into the death of Bradford bus driver Asghar Badshah has been delayed while the police investigation continues. [...]


The man, named by T&A sources as Tahir Syed, is believed to have been overseas for two years following the alleged kidnapping and killing of Mr Badshah.


Mrs Brocklehurst said she did not have details as to when the extradition would take place.

Asghar Badshah inquest delayed as man awaits extradition from Turkey