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AYA Hachem was a university student who was murdered in a dispute between two rival tyre dealerships. 

Her tragic death will be explored in Channel 5’s The Incident Room, a programme which examines some of Britain’s biggest murder cases. 

PA Media

PA: Press Association

Aya’s tragic murder

Aya moved to the UK in 2011 from Lebanon and began studying law at the University of Salford, Greater Manchester while volunteering for the Children’s Society. 

On May 17, 2020, Aya was shot and killed just 100 metres from her family home, which she shared with her mum Samar, her dad Ismail and her three siblings. 

She was just 19 years old at the time of the murder and was heading to her local supermarket to buy food for when her family would break their Ramadan fast.

Paramedics had rushed to the scene but were unable to save Aya. 

Aya’s killers are revealed

The cause of the murder initially remained a mystery, but police soon discovered CCTV footage of the attack. 

They had surveyed over 88,000 hours of footage before finding a video which showed the killer’s face.

A Toyota Avensis was clearly seen to have driven Zamir Raja to the scene, where he shot Aya. 

However, it was later revealed that Aya had not been Raja’s target. 

Instead, he was hoping to murdered Pachah Khan as part of a long-running feud between two tyre dealerships.

Raja had been hired by Feroz Suleman of RI Tyres to murder Pachah Khan, who owned Quickshine Tyres. 

Footage revealed that Suleman had accompanied Raja to the murder, with the hope of having a “ringside seat” to the shooting. 

Both men were arrested, with the CCTV footage showing Raja’s shocked expression when he realised that he was being filmed. 

Aya’s killers face justice

In court, seven men were found guilty of being involved in Aya’s murder. 

A jury took just four hours to convict Raja and his driver Anthony Ennis, before also finding Kashif Manzoor, Ayaz Hussain, Abubakr Satia and Uthman Satia guilty.

Judy Chapman, who had driven Ennis and Raja away from the crime scene, was convicted of manslaughter and handed a 15-year sentence. 

Raja was handed a life sentence and Ennis was put behind bars for 33 years.

Suleman received a minimum term of 34 years. 

PA: Press Association

PA: Press Association

PA: Press Association

Aya’s family speaks out

Aya’s dad Ismail Hachem took to Facebook to mourn his daughter and thank the lawyer who helped prosecute her killers. 

Ismail wrote: “My strong daughter lawyer Aya Ismail Hachem God’s mercy on your pure soul.

“Hey who broke our back with your horizon you were all dream, science and morals.

“Oh Allah, inspire us with patience and solace.”

Aya’s family also released a statement after the conviction. 

They wrote: “To our dear beautiful angel in heaven we know you are in a better and more beautiful place.

“We are so proud of you and we miss you so much – our lives are difficult without you.”

The family were invited to receive Aya’s law degree at what would have been her graduation ceremony.

One Voice Blackburn also renamed its Young Person of the Year award in Aya’s honour. 

The Incident Room

The events leading up to Aya’s murder, as well as the hunt to catch her killers, will be explored in Channel 5’s The Incident Room. 

Each episode of the series is focused on a particular murder and features exclusive interviews with detectives who helped to crack each case. 

The episode focused on Aya, entitled Shooting in Cold Blood, will air on April 2, 2025, at 8pm. 

With the easter break in full swing for some people already, many will be eyeing up DIY projects outside.

But before you grab your gear and head out into the garden, you might want to stop and think about what you’ll do if things go wrong.

Getty

Painting your fence could get you in trouble with the neighbours[/caption]

While refreshing your fence or brightening up your shed might do wonders for your garden, your insurance cover might not cut it if you accidentally give your neighbours a garden makeover too.  

Matt Durrant, Insurance Expert and Managing Director of i4me, is a specialist property insurance provider. 

He says: “With the best will in the world, painting your fence or garden shed can be a messy job.

“When using a brush or roller, it’s easy for drips to fall over the other side of your fence.

“If you’re lucky, this just means an unsightly streak for your neighbour, which can be quickly painted over.

“If you’re unlucky, however, it could mean stained garden furniture, paving, toys, or even bikes. 

“Worse still, if you’re using a paint spray gun, a badly timed gust of wind can leave your neighbour’s windows, brickwork or worst of all, their car speckled with wood stain.”

Matt explains that while your home insurance may cover parts of your garden such as sheds, outbuildings, patios, tools and garden furniture, your neighbour’s garden could be a different story.

He adds: “If something you do accidentally causes damage to their property, that’s where public liability insurance can step in.

“Just be aware — it’s not always a cut-and-dried matter.”

Indeed, if you accidentally cause damage to your neighbour’s property, it is not automatically covered by your insurance.

In fact, in most cases, your neighbour would need to claim on their own insurance policy, under accidental or malicious damage – unless their insurer wanted to pursue you for damages, in which case you would need to rely upon your public liability insurance. 

The majority of home insurance policies include public liability cover. But this is not guaranteed.

Matt says: “If your policy doesn’t include public liability, you’ll have to cover any costs if things go wrong.

“If you do have public liability insurance, making a claim will likely result in increased renewal prices/premiums. So, sometimes, it’s worth taking the hit yourself. 

“If you’re renting, don’t assume your landlord’s insurance will cover you if something goes wrong. Say you accidentally damage your neighbour’s property while doing DIY — you’d likely need your own contents insurance with public liability cover, or you could be left footing the bill.”

He adds: “So, the lesson is, before you break out the paints or embark on other garden projects that may potentially impact your neighbours, check your insurance and take extra care. Your garden dreams could turn into a financial nightmare.”

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Ex-Limerick hurler Mark Keane has been awarded almost €950k in damages for the severe injuries sustained in a workplace accident.

The former GAA star suffered the injuries while coming to the rescue of a co-worker at a Johnson & Johnson plant seven years ago.

Mr Keane had told the High Court that he was “not the man he was, nor the one he hoped to become” because of the injuries and felt “let down” by the famed multinational bluechip company.

An accomplished hurler, Mr Keane won three consecutive All-Irelands with Limerick under 21s between 2000 and 2002 and played senior from 2000 to 2006.

Mr Keane took his case against Johnson & Johnson Vision care (Ireland) over the incident that occurred in September 2018 at their plant in the National Technological Park, Plassey, Co Limerick.

The 43-year-old alleged Johnson & Johnson were negligent and breached their duty of care towards him on September 10, 2018, while he was working as a technician making contact lenses.

Mr Keane’s lawyers, HOMS Assist, submitted the incident caused the plaintiff to suffer sustained, continuous and severe personal injury and PTSD, as well as loss, damage, inconvenience and expense.

Lawyers for Johnson & Johnson had said the company “absolutely” accepted responsibility for the injury Mr Keane suffered in the form of nerve damage and injury to his right hand but did not accept responsibility for his claim of injury to his right shoulder.

Michael McMahon SC, for Mr Keane, said his client had been a “rescuer” on the date but instead suffered “a very serious injury” that caused “extensive, ongoing damage”.

Counsel said the “net result” of the incident was that his client, who had been a “very fine hurler”, was left with a painful, frozen shoulder and suffered pain up and down his arm, while the damage to his hand had created a loss of grip.

Mr McMahon said the injury had huge implications for his client, adding that Mr Keane could now not get a job and that he would have been earning €1,300 a week, net, if he was still working at Johnson & Johnson.

In his judgment this morning, Mr Justice Coffey awarded Mr Keane €944,074.46 in damages for his injury.

CAUSAL CONNECTION

Mr Justice Coffey said he preferred the evidence of the plaintiff that there had been a causal connection between the trauma of the accident and the emergence of symptoms in the plaintiff’s right shoulder, which had no previous symptoms before the incident.

Mr Justice Coffey said the accident had a “profound impact on the plaintiff’s psychological wellbeing and family life, leaving him feeling emotionally and mentally devastated”.

‘COMPLETELY CHANGED’

The judge said: “His wife, Karen, testified that the accident has completely changed him, and she now worries everyday for his well-being.”

Before the accident, he had overcome alcoholism, rebuilt his career, and was financially stable, “but the accident’s impact has left him feeling emasculated, helpless and incapable of providing for his family,” the judge added.

Collins Photo Agency

DUNNES Stores shoppers are set to race to the tills to get their hands on a fabulous new co-ord – and it’s perfect for summer.

With holiday season coming up quickly, many will be looking for the perfect outfits to wear on their trips.

DUNNES STORES

The Gallery Lucia Plisse Trouser is €20[/caption]

DUNNES STORES

Shoppers can pick up the €15 top in cream also[/caption]

Especially in the warmer weather, it calls for a complete overhaul of a typical Irish winter wardrobe which is used to colder temperatures.

But heading to a warm country can mean sun dresses and light, airy clothes to feel the breeze.

Now, Dunnes Stores has expanded its spring/summer range to include a must-have co-ord that is sending shoppers into a frenzy.

The Gallery Lucia Plisse Trouser is selling for a bargain €20, and comes in a stunning burgundy colour.

The light trousers feature an elasticated waist with wide legs, making it perfect for the sun.

The trousers come in sizes XS to XL, but are set to fly off the shelves.

In the official item description on the Dunnes Stores website, fashion chiefs wrote: “From Gallery, these plissé trousers feature a stretch waistband for comfort and a wide-leg cut that flows effortlessly.

“The side seam pockets integrate seamlessly with the soft fabric, creating a flattering fit with every movement.

“Matching top available; sold separately.

“Gallery is available exclusively at Dunnes Stores.”

And the matching top is another must-have.

The Gallery Lucia Plisse Top costs just €15, and shoppers can choose from two colours – mahogany or cream.

The mahogany option is the same colour as the trousers, so is perfect for a full matching outfit.

The top is available in sizes XS to XL.

Dunnes Stores chiefs said: “From Gallery, this plissé top features soft pleats, a round neckline, and long sleeves.

“The lightweight fabric offers a comfortable fit and drapes beautifully, creating a flattering silhouette.

“Matching trousers available; sold separately. Gallery is available exclusively at Dunnes Stores.”

The two pieces could be worn together or paired with other pieces to create a different style, depending on the shopper.

Fashion fans could even pick up the trousers with the cream version of the top, to still enjoy the co-ord but with a pop of colour.

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One person wrote: “We need a whimsical garden tour with all your new features. so cute.”

Another commented: “I don’t even HAVE a garden and I want this.”

“I got the flower lights, they’re so cute!” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “Omg I have a fairy garden and need more, I’m running to Aldi.”

“I got the solar fairy light and the bluebell for mine yesterday,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “Been to four Aldis for those balloons!”

Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.