Two women were left terrified after being threatened at gunpoint in a shocking robbery attempt near Manchester Victoria station. The victims, both in their 30s, were walking back to their cars on January 9, 2020, when they were ambushed by Junaid Ahmed and Hasan Ali, who were both teenagers at the time.
The attackers demanded cash, with Ali brandishing an imitation firearm to intimidate them. Ahmed repeatedly threatened to shoot the victims if they didn’t comply. One woman pretended to look for money inside her car before quickly locking the doors. Her friend rushed into the passenger seat, and together they called the police while the attackers fled the scene.
British Transport Police launched an investigation, identifying Ahmed after a media appeal led to a Crimestoppers tip-off. Further intelligence revealed that Ali had fled to Pakistan but later turned himself in.
Now aged 23 and 22 respectively, Hasan Ali, of Harper Street, Oldham, and Junaid Ahmed, of Villa Road, Oldham, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted robbery. On March 25, Bolton Crown Court sentenced them each to 30 months in prison.
Investigating officer DC Tim Friend praised the victims’ bravery and quick thinking, adding:
“Ali and Ahmed acted in an extremely cowardly manner, deliberately targeting two isolated female victims. They fled expecting never to be caught, but justice has now been served.”
After five years, the victims can take some comfort knowing their attackers are behind bars.
