Three people have been jailed following a brutal machete and sword attack on a man in his home in Rochdale, part of an escalating feud between organised crime groups. The victim, Abbas Mushtaq, was stabbed multiple times, and his mother was injured as she tried to defend him. The attack on May 22, 2021, saw masked men storm the family home on Mellor Street.
Attack Details
The court heard that Sonia Ali, 34, knocked on the door and claimed Mushtaq was responsible for a car being blown up and her son being in hospital. When his sister opened the door, two men—including Owais Ali—ran upstairs and attacked Mushtaq with a machete and a sword. He suffered wounds to his chest, back, arms, and hands, requiring daily care. His mother sustained a hand wound when she tried to grab the sword.
Prosecutor Harriet Lavin said the attack occurred against a backdrop of a feud between two organised crime groups. Mushtaq was believed to have links to a rival group. The night before, a vehicle belonging to Owais Ali's brother was torched. Asad Ali, 31, orchestrated the attack, sending a text to his brother Owais: “Your boys to run thew his house” and “that wat we gona have to do”.
Sentences and Revenge Attack
Mohammed Hassan Alam, 26, the getaway driver, was himself targeted in a revenge attack five months later. He was rammed off the road, his car flipped, and he was dragged out and assaulted, suffering a fractured skull and requiring a cornea replacement. He later pleaded guilty to violent disorder, possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, money laundering, and driving offences. He was jailed for eight years.
Asad Ali admitted conspiracy to wound with intent and was jailed for six years. Sonia Ali pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an organised crime group and was jailed for 18 months. Stacey Layton, 40, who hired the getaway car and had it valeted, received a 15-month suspended sentence with unpaid work and rehabilitation.
Judge Tina Landale described the attack as “terrifying and truly appalling”, causing “appallingly serious” injuries.
