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Innocent Teenager 'Murdered By Bungling Hitmen'

Wed, 12 September 2012 4:21PM

Two men went to the wrong address and murdered an innocent schoolboy in a contract killing of "staggering ineptitude", a court has heard.

Aamir Siddiqi, 17, was immediately attacked when he opened the front door to two armed men wearing balaclavas in April 2010. He was stabbed to death in the hallway of his home in Cardiff, south Wales.

His parents Iqbal and Parveen Siddiqi fought to save him, but were knifed themselves as the howling men stabbed the teenager, Swansea Crown Court heard.

Ben Hope, 39, and Jason Richards, 38, have gone on trial again charged with murder. They are also accused of attempted murder of the victim's parents. The case is a re-trial after a Cardiff Crown Court jury was discharged last year, the court heard.

Patrick Harrington QC said the hitmen's intended victim lived in a similar red brick end-of-row house in a parallel road.

The men, both heroin addicts, were paid cash for the contract killing by a third man who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He was in dispute with intended victim Mohammed Tanhai, the owner of the house at 85 Shirley Road, who owed the unnamed man £50,000, it is claimed.

"On Sunday April 11 2010, a young man, Aamir Siddiqi, was stabbed to death in the hallway of his home at 110 Ninian Road, Roath, Cardiff," Mr Harrington said.

"His father Iqbal and his mother Parveen intervened to try to stop this murderous attack and they too were stabbed. They were unable to stop their son's murder."

He said the murder could be described as a "contract killing" because the two men were recruited to carry it out. But with "staggering ineptitude", Hope and Richards took a wrong turn, he added.

Mr Harrington said Hope and Richards had used a stolen Volvo on the day of the murder. It was later found abandoned.

Police found traces of the teenager's blood in its footwell together with Hope's fingerprints and DNA matching Richards, it is claimed.

The case against them also includes a large amount of evidence gathered from mobile phones allegedly used by both men, the court heard.

Mr Harrington said that after the killing Hope and Richards were paid cash, before the alleged mistake in murdering the wrong person was revealed.

Hope bought himself a new pair of trainers and a laptop computer with the wages he was handed for murder, it is claimed.

Both men deny the charges against them.

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