Dudley crossbow murder trial: Man accidentally killed brother after rival gang tried to raid cannabis farm, court told

Khuzaimah Douglas, 19, and Waseem Ramzan, 36, were fatally injured during the fight between rival groups in the early hours of February 20 last year at a house, in Pensnett Road, Brierley Hill.

Father and son Saghawat Ramzan, 46, and Omar Ramzan, 23, and Sageer Mohammed, 33, are accused of murdering the two men.

Prosecuting barrister Mr Adrian Keeling QC told the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court that the Ramzan family controlled the cannabis operation, which had an annual yield of between £75,00 and £225,000.

The court heard that Saghawat Ramzan and son Omar Ramzan lived next door to it while his brother Waseem lived nearby.

He said the family became aware of trouble and went to the garden of the house armed with an “armoury” of weapons including two crossbows, a knife and knuckleduster in an attempt to defend it.

Mr Keeling said during the incident the raiders in effect "got boxed" into the house and smashed their way out through the front window to escape, which was captured by security cameras.

He said as the raiders ran away Khuzaimah Douglas, of Moseley, Birmingham, had the "fatal misfortune to be caught". '

'An horrific weapon'

He was tackled to the ground by the Ramzans and as they fought with him Sageer Mohammed arrived to help and joined in.

Mr Keeling said: "It was four men on one man. Then Saghawat Ramzan made the decision to fire the crossbow. This was at almost point blank range. In doing that he must have intended to cause serious harm if not to kill.

"It is an horrific weapon and capable of horrific damage. He drew on the crossbow which has three sharp metal bars. He did not hit Mr Douglas instead he hit his brother to the left side of his abdomen causing the wound which was to kill him.

"Waseem was fatally injured and played no real part in the struggle after that."

"Despite that awful act of violence the attack on Mr Douglas continued. He was held on the floor and punched repeatedly.

"More importantly Saghawat Ramzan reloaded and put it on his foot. He drew back the string. At that point you can see him standing over Khuzaimah Douglas again."

"Mr Douglas having being hit received an horrific wound on his right just above the hip. The bolt travelled 24 inches into his body causing a massive blood loss. Doctors found a portion of the bolt embedded in his bone," he added.

Saghawat Ramzan, 46, and Omar Ramzan, 23, of Pensnett Road, and Sageer Mohammed 33-year-old, of Gorsty Avenue, in Brierley Hill, all deny two counts of murder.

The trial continues.