‘I had nothing to do with Junaid killing’

A MAN accused of murdering a 21-year-old shop worker has protested his innocence.

Naveed Shabir is one of three men accused of killing Junaid Khan, who was gunned down shortly after midnight in the car park of a doctor’s surgery at Block Lane, Chadderton, on July 9, 2009.

The prosecution at Manchester Crown Court alleges that Shabir can be linked to the murder by mobile phone evidence.

The Crown claims that nearly £17,000 in banknotes recovered from the home of his co-defendant Milad Finn — who is alleged to be the gunman but denies murder — was cash for the killing.

Shabir’s fingerprint was found on a bag containing a bundle of the cash. But he claims he was only ever involved in drug transactions with Mr Finn and has nothing to do with the murder.

He admitted telling a series of lies to police following his arrest to distance himself from the drug trade.

It is alleged that Junaid was mixed up in a feud with brothers Liaquat Khan, who is on trial, Kashif Khan, who has been cleared of the murder, and Shazad Khan, who is wanted by police.

Questioned by Richard Mansell QC, defending, Shabir claimed in court he stored and transported kilos of heroin for Shazad Khan for as little as £50 a trip.

The defendant told the court that on the night of the murder he delivered heroin to Milad Finn at Fold Green, Chadderton, and that calls between him and a phone attributed to Shazad Khan related to this.

The Mitsubishi 4x4 used by Junaid’s killer was abandoned and burnt out in a restaurant car park in Fold Green.

Mr Shabir denied prosecution claims that the phone calls were coordinating the pick up of the 4x4, the shooting of Junaid Khan, the burning out of the 4x4 and the collection of the men involved, saying: “I have got nothing to do with that killing.”

Milad Finn (23), of Wythenshawe, denies murder and perverting the course of justice. Liaquat Khan (29), of Worcester Street, Oldham, and Shabir (28), of Coppice Street, Oldham, deny murder.