Champion Boxer Accused of Orchestrating 'Hitman-for-Hire' Plot Against Pakistani Dissidents
A former national schools boxing champion has been accused of masterminding a sophisticated 'hitman-for-hire' operation targeting two prominent Pakistani dissidents residing in Britain. Louis Regan, a 25-year-old sport and exercise science student, allegedly coordinated the planned ambushes on Christmas Eve last year.
Details of the Alleged Attacks
The prosecution claims Regan led three other men in what they describe as a 'planned and sophisticated' plot to attack Mirza Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja simultaneously at their homes. The incidents occurred at approximately 8am on December 24th, with targets located in Cambridge and Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
According to prosecutor Warren Stanier, when Mr Akbar confirmed his identity to the assailants, he was subjected to a violent assault. 'He was punched numerous times to the face, causing him bruising, cuts and a broken nose,' Stanier explained in court. Meanwhile, the group that attended Mr Raja's address found him not at home, preventing a similar attack.
Background of the Targeted Individuals
Mr Akbar serves as a human rights lawyer and previously acted as an adviser to the Pakistani government, having served in the cabinet under the country's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. His counterpart, Mr Raja, has established himself as an outspoken critic of the Pakistani administration, having written extensively about alleged corruption within the nation's military establishment.
The prosecution revealed that several reconnaissance trips were conducted to both men's residences prior to the Christmas Eve incidents, indicating significant planning behind the alleged operations.
The Accused Boxer's Profile
Regan, originally from Birmingham, currently studies at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent while reportedly living and working in Dubai as a 'qualified England boxing coach' and personal trainer according to his social media profiles. His boxing career began exceptionally early, with the athlete crowned National Schools boxing champion at just fourteen years old.
He progressed to represent his country at European tournaments before transitioning to coaching roles at his childhood club, the Pat Benson Boxing Academy. Regan has also been involved in community initiatives, having helped run boxing programmes for local students and participated in a half-term project in collaboration with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Legal Proceedings and Co-Defendants
The boxer appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday after being charged on Saturday with two counts of conspiracy to assault occasioning bodily harm. He has been remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled hearing at London's Old Bailey on February 13th.
Regan will be joined at the Old Bailey by three co-defendants: Karl Blackbird, 40, from Bedworth, Warwickshire; Clark McAulay, 39, from Coventry, West Midlands; and Doneto Brammer, 21, from Wood Green, north London. All three British nationals were charged on Friday and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, where they were similarly remanded in custody.
Blackbird faces two charges of conspiracy to assault occasioning bodily harm relating to both attacks, while McAulay has been charged specifically with conspiracy to assault occasioning bodily harm concerning the planned hit on Mr Raja. Brammer faces additional serious charges connected to a second incident on New Year's Eve of the same year.
Additional Incidents and Arrests
The New Year's Eve incident saw an attempt to set Mr Akbar's house on fire, with two men allegedly attacking the property while it was unoccupied. Prosecutors claim one individual used a firearm to break a window before attempting to throw a burning rag through the opening. The material reportedly fell to the ground outside the property without causing damage.
Brammer faces charges including possession of a prohibited weapon, conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
Police investigations have led to multiple additional arrests. A 34-year-old man was arrested at an address in Great Dunmow, Essex, on January 5th and has been released on bail until April pending further enquiries. On January 21st, Blackbird, McAulay, Brammer and two others were arrested across the West Midlands, Warwickshire and London in connection with both the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve incidents.
A 30-year-old man was arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of conspiracy to commit assault relating to the attack on Mr Akbar's Cambridge home, while a 40-year-old woman was arrested at a north London address on suspicion of possession of a firearm linked to the New Year's Eve ambush. Both have been released on bail until dates in April.
Police Investigation and Property Searches
All arrested individuals were brought to a London police station in a coordinated operation involving officers from London, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, alongside Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands. Following the arrests, officers conducted searches at four properties in Birmingham, two in London, and one each in Coventry and Warwickshire.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson indicated that the 'highly targeted nature' of the incidents has led to the investigation being assigned to officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London. 'Detectives are keeping an open mind as to any potential motivation behind the incidents,' the spokesperson explained, adding that officers are also considering whether the incidents might be linked as part of their active lines of inquiry.
The police have encouraged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact them confidentially on 0800 789321 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
