Gun-death father’s twin killers jailed
Date published: 26 March 2010
Family slam murdering duo who smirked throughout their trial
IDENTICAL twin brothers who shot dead a father–of–two on his doorstep and then tried to drown themselves in a river were today beginning their sentence of a minimum of 28 years behind bars.
Brett and Jordan Francis (26) gunned down Amran Khan (29) outside his home in Oldham before they plunged into the River Mersey in a desperate suicide attempt.
They targeted Mr Khan over a disputed £12,000 drug debt, Manchester Crown Court was told.
The brothers, of Birch Avenue, Chadderton, were convicted of murder by a jury yesterday after just two hours of deliberation.
Outside court, the victim’s family said they were “disgusted” with the men who they said smirked at them throughout the trial.
Mr Khan was shot twice on the doorstep of his home in Nugget Street, Glodwick, at about 10.30pm on September 18 last year after putting his two daughters, aged five and 10 months, to bed.
He went outside to investigate after his wife heard a disturbance and a dark BMW screeched to a halt outside the house. One of the occupants of the car then shot Amran once in the chest and also in his right buttock.
A third bullet hit the brickwork of the front door as Mr Khan’s wife watched on in horror. He later died at the Royal Oldham Hospital. The twins later fled to Runcorn and tried to kill themselves, which led to their arrest.
On the following morning, paramedics were called to Collier Street in Runcorn, close to the river, following reports two men were in need of help.
When they attended, they found Jordan Francis dripping wet and claiming someone else was in the water. He was found to have taken paracetamol and had cuts to both wrists. When quizzed by the ambulance technician, he said he had done it because “we killed somebody”.
Brett Francis was found lying on the ground next to a building close to the water’s edge, and when asked by another technician he admitted: “We’ve killed someone, but we didn’t mean to.”
Det Chief Insp Pete Marsh, who led the investigation, said: “Today, our thoughts must be with Amran’s family who have been deprived of a father, husband and a son thanks to the Francis twins.
“I can only hope that seeing them behind bars will give them some peace of mind.
“Officers have worked tirelessly to achieve this conviction, and will continue to do all we can to stop the distribution and use of guns and protect our communities.”
Amram’s wife, Shamila, said: “I cannot literally state the pain and horror at losing Amran in such a callous way. You can never comprehend the suffering and hurt caused by the death of not just my husband but a great daddy and a soulmate.
“There was still so much more Amran dreamt of for us but they will always be dreams and wishes that Jordan and Brett brutally and barbarically destroyed.
“Manny was my best friend, my soulmate. I adored him and always will. I miss him every moment of my life, his beautiful heart, his brilliant mind, his loving eyes, his gentle voice, his gleeful laugh and a quirky sense of humour.
“Our children will have to become accustomed to explaining in all walks of life why their daddy is no longer with them.”
Pauline Newrick, the Crown Prosecution Service lawyer in charge of the case, said: “These two young men are now starting a substantial jail term for the cold–blooded murder of Amran Khan on his own doorstep, a targeted attack that was the terrible result of their involvement in drug crime.
“There were some challenging aspects to this case.
“However, working with the police we were able to present to the jury compelling evidence that the murder was a joint enterprise in which both Brett and Jordan Francis were equally guilty.”
