Ayub Khan is jailed for life in the 2022 Harborne murder of Richard Hopley. The gang members’ total sentences top 80 years.
Khan was the final person charged in the Hopley case after he fled to Pakistan. He got married and started a family there. Three others, Nicholas Stallard, Paul Hayles, and Mohammed Qasim, were jailed earlier; Qasim inflicted the fatal stab wound.
Khan thought he could return to Britain without facing blame, coming back last year. He attempted to deceive a psychologist, trying to appear vulnerable to the jury as if he were innocent. However, his deceit failed, and he was convicted of both murder and robbery.
Khan, 29, received a life sentence and must serve a minimum of 30 years. The gang’s total prison time amounts to over 80 years. Judge Paul Farrer KC discussed the planned robbery, emphasizing that Qasim had a knife which all four intended for him to use.
Judge Farrer stated that Khan and Qasim intended to cause serious harm. When Hopley interfered in the robbery, Qasim stabbed him forcefully in the chest. Khan, as the dominant member, masterminded the robbery.
Stallard had an argument with his drug dealer over fake money, which led to the robbery plan targeting “Ace.” Stallard, Hayles, Khan, and Qasim were all involved, selecting a spot with an easy escape route at Underwood Close.
Hopley drove Ace in a Volkswagen Passat, arriving around 2:50 pm. Qasim entered the front seat, displaying the knife and demanding drugs. As Qasim tried to leave, Hopley resisted, and Qasim stabbed him in the chest.
Hayles and Stallard then attacked the car, while Khan initially moved towards it with a knife but then retreated. Qasim fled, and Hopley managed to drive briefly to Metchley Lane before collapsing and dying.
Hayles, now 65, and Stallard, now 43, were apprehended soon after the incident. They were convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit robbery. Hayles received a ten-year sentence, while Stallard received thirteen. Qasim, now 25, also fled to Pakistan but returned to the UK in 2023. He was found guilty of murder and conspiracy and sentenced to life with a 30-year minimum.
Khan returned to the UK last September. Judge Farrer noted that Khan feigned vulnerability, even tricking a psychologist about his IQ, leading the expert to believe Khan was easily influenced.
However, another expert disagreed, stating that Khan had average intelligence and was not easily led or vulnerable, despite having PTSD. Judge Farrer concluded that Khan manipulated the situation, waiting until after the others’ trials to try and appear like an innocent and clueless person.
Richard Hopley’s mother, Marilyn Warner, attended all of the trials. She described him as her “miracle” baby and remembered him as loving and kind, despite struggles with drug problems. Warner expressed that the day of his death had ruined her life.
Warner never believed she would see Khan in court, and she felt relieved the trials were finally over. She told her son to rest in peace. Khan’s lawyer characterized the events as a robbery gone wrong and stated that Khan’s family described him as a good, kind, and helpful person, ultimately acknowledging that it was Khan’s own fault.