Ravensthorpe attempted murder latest: Accused only meant to ‘scare’ victim

A MAN accused of attempted murder has described the moment he fired a handgun in a Ravensthorpe street.

Michael Bowman today told jurors at Leeds Crown Court that he shot at Razwan Hussain’s car because it was blocking the road.

“I wanted to care them so they would get out of the way,” he said. “I aimed down at the head lamp.

“I just wanted to get out of there to my kids.”

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Prosecutor Michael Smith had said earlier that Bowman, his co-accused Mark Lennon and a unknown third man were thought to have visited a house in Clarkson Street on June 10 this year to take part in a drugs deal or other illegal activity.

But Bowman said the trio had gone to buy a batch of iPhones.

He said the man they went to meet, Mohammed Aslam, brought out drugs and had a gun.

Bowman, 44, said he was ‘petrified’ and, fearing he would be hurt, grabbed the gun.

The gun went off and the trio ran out to their car.

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But Bowman said Mr Hussain’s car was stopped them driving off.

He said they panicked when they thought someone in the other car had a gun, and so he fired a shot to scare them.

The court previously heard the bullet hit the bonnet and shattered the windscreen, but nobody was injured.

Bowman then returned to the car, which was found abandoned later in the South Yorkshire village of Todwick.

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The two defendants were arrested in the Red Lion pub in the village and a gun was found in bushes nearby.

Bowman, of London, denies attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, ammunition without a firearm certificate, and a prohibited firearm.

Earlier, jurors acquitted Lennon of attempted murder after a direction from the Recorder of Leeds.

Peter Collier QC advised that there was not enough evidence to consider the charge against him.

Lennon, 40, of London, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, ammunition without a firearm certificate, and a prohibited firearm.

The case continues.

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