Alleged Black Country crossbow killer 'tried to pull bolt out of uncle'

Omar Ramzan, aged 24, was present when the shots were said to have been fired by his father, Saghawat Ramzan, 46, which killed both Waseem Ramzan, 36, and Khuzaimah Douglas, 19, following a raid by an alleged rival gang on February 20 last year, the court heard.

A jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Omar Ramzan had armed himself with a crossbow belonging to his father which was lying loaded behind the sofa in their house in Pensnett Road.

CCTV footage was then shown of Omar Ramzan stamping on Khuzaimah Douglas who was on the road outside, held from behind by his uncle Waseem Ramzan.

When asked by prosecutor Mr Tom Walkling why he stamped on Mr Douglas, Omar Ramzan told the court he “thought he was armed”.

“His friends were tooled up with hammers and machetes, a knife and a brick-shaped weapon,” said Omar Ramzan.

“He could have had a knife.”

Judge Michael Chambers QC asked: “Did you see him at any stage with a knife?”

“No,” replied Omar Ramzan.

'Punishment beating

The court heard that Mohammed Sageer, of Gorsty Avenue, in Brierley Hill, arrived in his car and “joined in the assault” and Saghawat Ramzan had a large crossbow in his hand.

“This was not defending your uncle,” Mr Walkling put to Omar Ramzan.

“It was a four on one punishment beating.

“We know when your dad fires the bolt - it happened right in front of your eyes.”

“Yes it did,” replied Omar Ramzan.

“To my recollection the first thing I tried to do was pull it out when I saw it.”

The court heard that Waseem Ramzan made a “croaky groan” and bright red and yellow fletching was sticking out of his abdomen.

Omar Ramzan said he then tried to restrain Mr Douglas fearing that he would hurt his uncle.

“You were holding Mr Douglas down while your dad reloaded the crossbow,” said Mr Walkling.

“This may not have been a plan but it was obvious that your dad was trying to shoot Mr Douglas with the crossbow.”

Strength

When questioned Omar Ramzan admitted he and Mohammed Sageer stopped Mr Douglas from getting up and hit him.

“This man was a world champion kickboxer,” said Omar Ramzan.

“You did not know that,” replied Mr Walkling.

“Not at the time but I could tell of his strength,” said Omar Ramzan.

“I did not know he was trying to run away – I thought he was going to get up and attack my uncle.”

The court heard that Omar Ramzan had Mr Douglas in a headlock on the ground but the defendant said he could not say when the victim was shot.

“Mr Douglas could not leave until you let him go, could he?” said Mr Walkling.

“Why did your dad say ‘let him go’?”

“I had him held,” said Omar Ramzan.

“It follows you were holding Mr Douglas on the floor when he was shot,” said Mr Walkling.

“Perhaps,” Omar Ramzan replied.

Omar Ramzan, his father Saghawat Ramzan and Mohammed Sageer all deny murder.

The trial continues.