Ten Men Convicted Over Horrific Petrol-Bomb Attack in Stoke-on-Trent
A mother and her teenage daughter were forced to leap from an upstairs window to escape a petrol-bomb attack on their home in Stoke-on-Trent, leaving the mother with life-altering burns covering 65% of her body. The horrific incident, which occurred in December 2021, has now led to the conviction of ten men following an extensive 11-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
Details of the Attack and Injuries
On the evening of December 16, 2021, a gang of men approached the property on Beverley Drive in the Bentilee area. They shattered ground-floor windows, doused the hallway and exterior with petrol, and ignited the blaze. The 31-year-old mother and her 13-year-old daughter, trapped upstairs, broke a bedroom window and jumped to safety.
The mother sustained catastrophic injuries, including 65% burns, a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, and a lacerated liver from the fall. She was placed in a coma for two months and, against medical expectations, survived but now requires ongoing medical treatment and had to relearn how to walk. Her daughter suffered 15% burns to her right arm and leg.
Convictions and Legal Proceedings
The trial concluded with multiple convictions:
- Shakil Uddin, 23, from Oldham, was found guilty of attempted murder and arson with intent.
- Lukman Khan, 24, and Riyadh Iqbal, 23, both of Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, were convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent.
- Muhammad Sufyaan-Shah, 25, and Tayyeb Majeed, 23, were found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Ali Abbas, 22, and Haris Mahmood, 21, had previously admitted to two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life.
- Naveed Hussain, 32, confessed to violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.
- Kashif Ahmed, 25, and Bilal Ahmed, 26, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
The court heard that the attack was a revenge act stemming from a brawl earlier that day on Kildare Street in Longton, where Kashif Ahmed was stabbed in the shoulder.
Police and Fire Service Response
Staffordshire Police conducted a meticulous investigation, gathering CCTV footage, digital evidence, and specialist materials to secure convictions. Detective Constable Howard Davies described it as a "very detailed and thorough investigation" and emphasized the commitment to justice for the victims.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michelle Hickmott of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service praised the collaborative efforts, stating that fire investigation teams used their expertise to identify the deliberate nature of the fire and support the legal process.
All ten men have been remanded in custody and await sentencing at a date to be determined.
