A thug has been jailed for eight years for his part in a “gangland” style attempted armed robbery.
Zahir Abbas, 28, was the driver in the plot to get a student to hand over drugs or cash when he had a loaded gun held to his head.
Abbas had to be dragged from the dock at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (Feb 1) after he hurled foul-mouth abuse at the judge who sentenced him after a jury found him guilty of attempted robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear.
As he was lead away Abbas shouted: “Is this what you call justice!”
The jury heard the victim had just parked his car outside his home in Heckmondwike on July 16 this year when he was threatened.
Abbas was driving a black Vauxhall Corsa and his accomplice was in the passenger seat. The student knew the two men and agreed to get into the back of the car to speak to them.
Once in the car, Abbas’s accomplice said: “I know you have got 4oz of cocaine and a box of cannabis in your garage. I want that or £4,000 in cash.” Abbas then drove off and the victim had a handgun pressed against his neck.
Three bullets were then put in the weapon and the victim was told: “Stop messing about or I’ll blow your head off.”
The victim took the men to his grandmother’s house but the pair fled when they were seen by the victim’s mother.
Abbas was arrested and laughed when questioned about the offence, claiming the victim was telling “a bunch of porkies”.
Jailing Abbas, judge James Spencer QC said: “You knew there was a gun in your friend’s possession and it was held to the neck of this unfortunate person.”
“You have been convicted, quite rightly in my judgement, on the evidence.
“For this gangland behaviour there can only be a significant sentence.”