Yassar Yaqub, 28, was a passenger in an Audi A4 which was surrounded by unmarked police cars at junction 24 of the M62 in Huddersfield on January 2, 2017. The inquest at Leeds crown court heard that an armed officer known as B39 leaned out of his car window and fired three shots. A loaded handgun was found in the footwell under the passenger seat. A silencer and other ammunition were found in the glove compartment. The inquest court was told that four unmarked police cars “followed” Yakub and his associates before they traveled from Bradford to Huddersfield. Mohsin Amin was driving the Audi A4. Behind them was a VW Scirocco carrying two other men, Rexhino Arapaj and David Butlin. As the two cars left the M62 four police cars cornered them. B39 then rolled down the front offside window, leaned out and fired his police-issued firearm. According to the inquest, officer B39 was about 1.5 meters away from Yakub when he shot him, with two of the bullets striking him in the chest and causing “catastrophic blood loss”. The judge said: “It will not surprise you to learn that the fact that Audi and Volkswagen were discontinued did not just happen out of the blue. You will hear that the police had been interested in Mr. Yakub for some time prior to January 2, 2017.” The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Curle, told the jury that what was said next and exactly what actions were taken by the occupants of the cars were matters “at the heart of this inquest”. Family members paid tribute to Yakub in court. Yaqub’s sister, Aneela Kauser, fought back tears as she said her brother was kind-hearted and had so much love to give. “Life without Yassar was extremely difficult. I’ve felt lost, lonely and worried,” she said. Yaqoob’s father, Mohammed Yaqoob, broke down as he paid tribute to his son in court “He was well respected in the community and never out of work. It was not his time to go and we hope to learn from our loss so that other families never have to share our hearts.” The court was read a statement from Yaqub’s partner Zoe Summers, mother of his two children, who were aged six months and 11 when he died. She said he was a good father and “a fun loving dad.” “I cannot explain the pain we live every day. She is unbearable. It’s like a horrible nightmare that’s stuck on repeat,” Summers said. A statement from Yaqub’s daughter, Yasmin Summers, read in court said: “Since losing my dad I have felt anger, sadness, every emotion you can think of. Now all I have left are memories and images, which I will keep forever.” The investigation continues. It is expected to last eight weeks.
