Nightmare at the Window: The Oldbury Shotgun Attack and the Shattered Peace of a Family

Terror in the Bedroom: ‘I Do Not Feel Safe in My Own Home’

The peace of a quiet Oldbury street was shattered in the early hours of February 17, when a black Hyundai pulled up to a family home on Vicarage Street. What followed was a cold-blooded act of violence: Assan Hussain stepped out and blasted two barrels of a shotgun directly at the bedroom windows. Inside, a mother and her two daughters were plunged into a state of sheer terror, fearing for their lives as glass and debris rained down. It is a miracle that no one was killed.

The impact of this random, targeted attack was laid bare in the victim impact statements read out in court. One woman, in her 20s, confessed the enduring emotional damage: “I have no idea why this happened… I do not feel safe in my own home and am always looking at the cameras in case it happens again.” This statement captures the unique horror of the crime—a planned, ruthless intrusion that offers no explanation. Hussain stole more than just their security; he stole their peace, leaving them perpetually scanning their own walls for the next attack. The sentence is severe, but the lifetime sentence of fear imposed on this family is a far greater punishment.

The Judge’s Scrutiny: A Criminal’s Lack of Courtesy

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Judge Robert Talog-Davies delivered a resounding condemnation, jailing Hussain for 15 years and his accomplice, Sima Khan, for five years and six months—a combined total of over 20 years. The judge rightly pointed to Hussain’s deliberate cruelty and lack of remorse, noting, “You haven’t given the family whose house you shot at a reason for your actions.” The silence on the motive for nearly killing a mother and her daughters speaks volumes about Hussain’s chilling disregard for human life.

This was not a first offence; Hussain had previous firearms convictions, including an eight-year sentence for gun crimes in 2018. His willingness to not only re-offend but to drag others into his criminality was sharply noted by the Judge. The complex escape plan involving multiple cars and a journey to Wales demonstrates the calculated nature of the attack, further justifying the lengthy sentence aimed at protecting the public from such a dangerous, repeat offender.

Misguided Loyalty: The Tragic Role of Sima Khan

The case of Sima Khan, who was tricked into acting as a getaway driver and gun holder, adds a layer of heartbreak to the tragedy. Police found a loaded pistol and ammunition in her handbag during a raid, demonstrating the depth of her compromised position. While her actions were illegal and dangerous, the court heard mitigating circumstances: Khan had been a child bride, a victim of abuse for years, and a mother to two children.

Judge Talog-Davies acknowledged her history, noting she was “obviously involved in this case due to misguided loyalty to Hussain.” It is a tragic example of how vulnerable individuals, scarred by past trauma, can be manipulated by those with callous criminal intent. Khan’s five-and-a-half-year sentence is a reminder that while the law must punish the crimes of assisting an offender and firearm possession, the cycle of abuse and manipulation that led her there is its own devastating tragedy. Both sentences bring a measure of finality to the case, but the Oldbury family’s unanswered question of “why” will undoubtedly linger long after the prison doors close.