Hartlepool shotgun murder trial halted while defendants await Covid test results

Four men are on remand at Durham Prison while on trial for the alleged shotgun murder of Hamawand Ali Hussain, 30, whose body was found at a house in Charterhouse Street, Hartlepool, on September 14, in 2019.

Noza Saffari, 39, of Park Lane, Middlesbrough, who is Iranian of Kurdish origin; and Albanians Anxhelo Xhaferi, 24, of Acton Street, Middlesbrough; Dorian Pirija, 33, of Trillo Avenue, Bolton; and Qazim Marku, 24, of Maxwell Road, West Drayton, London, deny murder.

The trial at Teesside Crown Court, which started last week, did not hear any evidence on Monday afternoon (January 18) after it emerged that two of the defendants share cells with people who have tested positive for the virus.

The judge, Mr Justice Wall, told the jury it was imperative the two defendants were tested for Covid without delay.

He added: "We’re hoping we will get the results of those tests either later on today or early tomorrow.

"It’s very important I make absolutely sure everybody is as safe as possible while this trial continues.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our priority is to limit the spread of the virus and protect the lives of those who live and work in our prisons.

“We have taken precautionary measures at Durham, in line with public health guidance, and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”

Earlier, the trial heard from Middlesbrough taxi driver Faisal Azam who at the time of Mr Ali Hussain’s death was trying to find a buyer or tenant for 25 Charterhouse Street on behalf of the owner who lives out of the area.

Mr Azam said in early September he provided a key for the house to a man, who is not one of the defendants, who said he wanted somewhere to stay for a couple of days before moving to London.

Prosecutor Francis FitzGibbon QC said: “Did you discover that a murder had taken place in 25 Charterhouse Street?”

Mr Azam said: “Yes unfortunately.”

Asked how he felt about it, Mr Azam answered: “Totally devastated.”

Mr Azam also said that shortly before Mr Ali Hussain’s murder he was contacted by Noza Saffari who wanted to rent a local property, but he could not remember the exact date.

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