Petrol Bomb Gang Convicted After Mother and Daughter Escape Burning Home
Ten men have been convicted following a horrific petrol bomb revenge attack in Stoke-on-Trent that forced a mother and her teenage daughter to escape through a bedroom window, leaving both with severe burns. The convictions came after an extensive 11-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
The Terrifying Attack
On December 16, 2021, in the Bentilee district of Stoke-on-Trent, a group of men poured petrol inside a residential property and set it alight. The 31-year-old mother and her 13-year-old daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were forced to smash an upstairs bedroom window and jump to escape the flames.
The mother suffered 65 per cent burns and was hit on the head during the attack. She was placed in a coma for two months and, despite not being expected to survive, pulled through. Her injuries were life-changing, requiring ongoing medical treatment. She also sustained a broken pelvis, broken ribs, and a lacerated liver from the fall, and had to relearn how to walk.
Her teenage daughter suffered 15 per cent burns to her right arm and right leg. Both victims endured what police described as a "horrific ordeal" in their own home.
The Convictions
The ten men convicted in connection with the arson attack are:
- Shakil Uddin, 23, from Oldham, Greater Manchester: Found guilty of attempted murder and arson with intent.
- Lukman Khan, 24, and Riyadh Iqbal, 23, both from Normacot in Stoke-on-Trent: Found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent.
- Muhammad Sufyaan-Shah, 25, of HMP Hindley in Wigan, and Tayyeb Majeed, 23, of Longton in Stoke-on-Trent: Convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Ali Abbas, 22, and Haris Mahmood, 21, both from Normacot: Previously pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life. Abbas also admitted violent disorder.
- Naveed Hussain, 32, of Longton: Admitted violent disorder and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place in December last year.
- Kashif Ahmed, 25, of Stoke-on-Trent, and Bilal Ahmed, 26, of Normacot: Previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
All men have been remanded in custody and are awaiting sentencing at a date, time, and court yet to be fixed.
Background and Investigation
The court heard that the attack was preceded by a street fight earlier that day. At approximately 4pm on December 16, 2021, Naveed Hussain, Bilal Ahmed, Kashif Ahmed, and Ali Abbas were involved in a fight in Kildare Street, Longton. Kashif Ahmed suffered a stab wound to his shoulder and required hospital treatment.
CCTV footage captured Riyadh Iqbal discussing the stabbing in a phone shop, stating, "One of the boys got stabbed up, man... The geezer don't know we've planned a rumble outside his yard now, innit."
Later that evening, Shakil Uddin was seen on CCTV buying petrol from a garage. At 10.55pm, a group of men arrived at the house on Beverley Drive, demanding to speak to Naveed Hussain. They smashed the downstairs windows and poured petrol in the hallway near the front door and outside near the living room window before igniting it.
Staffordshire Police conducted a detailed investigation, piecing together CCTV, digital evidence, and specialist material. Detective Constable Howard Davies of the force's major investigations department stated, "We left no stone unturned to examine the circumstances of this case. This was a horrific ordeal for a mother to be set on fire in her own home in front of her daughter by a number of men seeking revenge."
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michelle Hickmott from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service added, "Following a thorough investigation working alongside our police colleagues, we are extremely pleased with the outcome of this case. Our investigation teams use their extensive skills and knowledge to identify when a fire has been started deliberately and then assist the investigation further to bring arsonists to justice."
The case highlights the severe consequences of gang violence and the collaborative efforts of emergency services to secure justice for victims.
