Judges dismiss Aya Hachem murderer's appeal

Appeal Court judges today dismissed a murderer's appeal against his convictions over the death of innocent Salford law student Aya Hachem.

Junior Louis Otway was convicted aged 42 by a jury in March last year of the 19-year-old's murder and attempted murder in relation to a gunman's intended target. He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years - and screamed 'I'm innocent' as he was led away to start his sentence.

Aya was killed in Blackburn, Lancashire, by a stray bullet in a botched murder plot relating to two rival businesses.

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Otway's trial was told he was called in to help settle a score and help orchestrate the shooting. After he was convicted and sentenced, police said he played a 'key role' in organising the murderous plot that led to Aya's tragic death.

Otway, a drug dealer of Clitheroe Road in Longsight, Manchester, launched an appeal against his convictions and the case was heard by the Court of Appeal Criminal Division on Friday. Lord Justice William-Davis, Mr Justice Jay and Mrs Justice Dias presided over the case.

Otway was represented by Alan Gardner KC and the Crown by Timothy Cray KC, the prosecution and defence counsel at the trial.

Submissions were made by Mr Gardner surrounding evidence given at Otway's trial, specifically relating to three witnesses and Otway's use of an illicit mobile phone while on remand in prison.

The KC claimed the trial judge 'fell into error' in respect of the admission of certain evidence and the evidence given by one witness resulted in 'prejudice' to Otway. Rulings given by the trial judge at the time and the summing up of the evidence given to the jury were also examined.

Lord Justice