Gun probe drama

POLICE didn’t check the cricketing alibi of a murder suspect until months after the crime, a court heard.

Arfan Rafiq, of Villa Road, Oldham, is alleged to have provided a machine gun used to murder Nasar Hussain, shot as he worked behind the counter of Brookhouse Wines, Eccles.

Rafiq (25) claims that he did not supply “hitman” Simeon Henderson with the weapon — and claims he was playing cricket on the night of the shooting on July 4.

Manchester Crown Court heard how Rafiq told officers that CCTV cameras in Glodwick could confirm where he was at crucial times. But police didn’t get the CCTV for another two months, by which time anything that may have been there on July 4 had been wiped.

Rafiq denies murder, conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Proceeding.