A gangster who fled to Pakistan in nearly a decade spent on the run from justice has finally been convicted of murdering the friend of a former Premier League footballer.
Abdul Qadir Ahsan, 28, has been jailed for life for the ‘cold blooded’ killing of Andre Marshall – friend of ex-Manchester United prospect Ravel Morrison – in 2015.
Age 29, Marshall was shot seven times and killed at Manor Park in Urmston, Greater Manchester, and Ashan was questioned by police two days later, and again the following week as a suspect.
However, after the then-18-year-old was released on bail he boarded a flight to Pakistan, which has no extradition treaty with the UK.
Following Marshall’s murder, Morrison – now 31 and playing in the United Arab Emirates’ third division – tweeted: ‘It’s mad I can be with someone 2 days later there gone.. R.I.P Dre.’ Another 13 hours later said: ‘Dre M R.I.P Brother gone but never forgotten Only 2 days ago we made plans how you could get rich.’
Abdul Qadir Ahsan, 28, has been jailed for life after he spent the last nine years running from justice having shot Andre Marshall, a friend of former Premier League star Ravel Morrison, dead
Age 29, Marshall was shot seven times and killed at Manor Park in Urmston, Greater Manchester, in 2015
Ex-Manchester United prospect Morrison (seen in 2011) posted after the shooting: ‘It’s mad I can be with someone 2 days later there gone.. R.I.P Dre’
Marshall was found dead in the car park of St Clements Church in Urmston at 7.25am, on May 20, 2015.
As well as the bullet wounds, he was found with a fractured skull which was consistent with a gun being used to inflict a blunt force injury.
Ahsan first went to police under his own steam to admit he had been in Marshall’s company that night, but claimed he had been dropped off some time before the shooting.
But the investigation found he was never dropped off and his blood was found inside Marshall’s car.
Witnesses reported hearing a sequence of loud bangs around 12.45am and a light-coloured BMW estate vehicle reversing down Manor Park. A man was seeing getting out of the back passenger door.
He was then seen going over to a parked car and bending down before another loud bang was heard. He then returned to the BMW which sped off from the scene. Andre’s body was found the following morning at the side of the parked car.
While Ahsan managed to flee as he was under investigation and live out nine years of his life in Pakistan, two of his accomplices received prison terms in 2016 for assisting an offender.
Marshall was found dead in the car park of St Clements Church at 7.25am, on May 20, 2015
Despite the lack of an extradition treaty, Pakistan authorities agreed to search for and apprehend Ahsan in 2017, but he then lodged a number of appeals and was again released on bail.
Ahsan skipped bail and went on the run for a second time, but was finally located, still in Pakistan, in 2022 and he was transferred back to the UK in January this year.
‘Time and distance are not barriers to justice,’ said DS Chris Doggart of Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team.
‘Anyone who thinks that they have a shot a freedom by skipping the country is sorely mistaken. We will find you.
Following a lengthy trial, which heard a fresh story from the killer compared to his recollection of events nine years earlier, Ahsan was convicted at Manchester Crown Court.
His life sentence came today with a recommended minimum term of 28 years behind bars.
Marshall’s inquest heard he was shot seven times as he tried to leave his BMW by someone sitting in the passenger seat. He also suffered lacerations to the scalp and skull
Ahsan was jailed for life with a recommended minimum term of 28 years at Manchester Crown Court today
During sentencing, Andre’s mother spoke to the court. She said: ‘Losing a child is devastating for any parent.
‘Losing your only child in evil and brutal circumstances has a double impact. Over the past nine years, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, not knowing if the defendant was ever going to be extradited to the UK.
‘However, I never gave up on hope and to be honest, the police didn’t too. I commend them for all their hard work and determination to bring this man before the courts.’
DS Doggart added: ‘ This was a horrifically violent crime in which a young man has sadly lost his life. I think the message today is clear: you can run but you can’t hide.
‘Our investigation has always remained focused on finding Ahsan and bringing him to justice. Today, we can say we have done just that.
‘Our thoughts remain with Andre’s family. They have remained brave and stoic throughout, although reliving the events of that night and the tragic details of what happened to their son has been heartbreaking for them.’
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