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Betro convicted in UK conspiracy case
A US woman has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder in connection with a 2019 Birmingham plot; sentencing set for August 21.
A US citizen was found guilty of conspiracy to murder in a Birmingham court over an attempted 2019 shooting.
US woman Aimee Betro convicted over failed assassination in UK
Aimee Betro, a US citizen from Wisconsin, traveled to Birmingham as part of a vendetta against a local businessman and his family. Jurors heard she waited outside the family home in Measham Grove, Yardley, with a self-loading pistol and fired at Sikander Ali, but the gun jammed and he escaped. Betro then returned the next night and fired three shots through the windows of the empty home. CCTV footage and social media messages placed her at the scene, and authorities said she had hidden her face with a niqab, though the disguise failed to conceal her movements.
Betro was convicted of conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence, and illegally importing ammunition. Two men, Mohammed Nazir and Mohammed Aslam, were already jailed for related charges. Betro, who denies the charges, is due to be sentenced on 21 August.
Key Takeaways
"Where are you hiding?"
Betro texts before the initial attack
"Stop playing hide and seek, you are lucky it jammed."
Betro's message to the target after the jammed shot
"It was a fairly poor attempt [at disguise]"
Det Ch Insp Orencas on the disguise used
The verdict underscores how private feuds can cross national borders and still carry risks for public safety. Even with surveillance footage, disguise attempts, and premeditated moves, the plot was thwarted by a jammed weapon and quick actions by the target. The case also highlights how authorities track foreign suspects and pursue cross-border criminal networks, a reminder of the global reach of some vendettas. The sentencing will signal how seriously courts treat international conspiracies that endanger residents far from where a crime is hatched.
As governments balance border controls, gun regulation, and crime prevention, this case raises questions about preventable risk and the effectiveness of international cooperation in criminal investigations. It also marks a difficult test for the UK justice system in handling crimes planned abroad but executed on UK soil.
Highlights
- Where are you hiding?
- Stop playing hide and seek, you are lucky it jammed.
- It was a fairly poor attempt [at disguise]
Cross-border crime and public safety risk
The case involves an international plot directed at a UK resident and could prompt scrutiny over immigration, gun imports, and cross-border crime response.
Cross-border crime demands vigilance, not headlines, as courts translate intent into accountability.
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