Mini carjacked to order, court told

A self-confessed carjacker has told jurors he robbed a woman of her Mini to order.

Shahbaz Hussain said he was asked by co-accused Nahida Parveen to steal a Mini and she gave him the keys to another stolen vehicle to go looking for one.

The jury at Stafford Crown Court heard that the target was Debbie Green, who was driving home in her BMW Mini to Swinforge Way, Swindon, near Dudley. Outside her home, a robber pointed what turned out to be a realistic imitation gun at her and her car was stolen.

Shahbaz Hussain admitted to the jury that he was one of the robbers – but he denied being involved in two other similar 'carjackings'.

Mr Michael Garrett, prosecuting, has alleged that Shahbaz Hussain, his brother Sarfaraz and Parveen were all involved in robbing 78-year-old Mr Peter Meredith of his Ford Fiesta in Sheridan Gardens, Sedgley, and an attempt to rob Joanne Turner of her BMW Z4 in Beech Road, Dudley, as well as the carjacking of the Mini.

Sarfaraz Hussain, aged 23, and his brother Shahbaz, aged 21, both of Himley Road, Dudley each deny two charges of robbery.

Parveen, aged 23, of Pepperbox Drive, Tipton, denies three charges of robbery, possessing an imitation firearm and perverting the course of justice.

Giving evidence in his defence, Shahbaz said he was not involved in the offences in Dudley and Sedgley, but was responsible for the Swindon carjacking.

Asked where he was on the night of the other crimes, the defendant said he could not remember. The robbery he did commit was for Nahida, he said.

"She told us she wanted a Mini. She said she was going to pay us £1,000 to get this car." She gave him the keys to a Ford Fiesta, which he had never seen before.

"She said she wanted a Mini, so we drove round until we saw one," he said.

After they had robbed Miss Green, they took the Mini back to Himley Road, the court was told.

Shahbaz said he never got his £1,000 from Parveen as the police arrested him before he got his money.

The trial continues.