US woman is found guilty of conspiracy to murder after niqab gun plot

A would-be killer who tried to shoot a rival at point-blank range while disguised in a niqab has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

- Robyn Vinter Raphael Boyd

Aimee Betro, 45, who is originally from the US, flew to the UK as part of a revenge plot orchestrated by father and son co-conspirators Mohammed Aslam, 59, and Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, to attack a family they had been feuding with.

Jurors at Birmingham crown court deliberated for 21 hours before finding Betro guilty on the charges of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence, and illegally importing ammunition.

The jury, who had been given a majority direction by Judge Drew, found Betro guilty by 11-1 verdicts on the conspiracy to murder and firearm charges, and by a unanimous verdict on the ammunition charge.

Betro, from Wisconsin, did not react as the verdicts were read out. She remained emotionless when escorted back to her cell.