Man accused of murder after gun death

Mar 25 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

A CHINESE man appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of an Iranian-born businessman who died from a gunshot wound following a late-night incident in Northumberland last week.

Zhong Guo, 42, was remanded in custody by magistrates at Bedlington accused of murdering Shahdad Pouresmaeilieh, 44, on Thursday night.

Mr Pouresmaeilieh died from a single gunshot wound to the head following the incident in a flat above the Dragon House Chinese takeaway in Elliott Street, Blyth.

Guo – said to be of no fixed abode and originally from South China – is also charged with the attempted murder of Chinese woman Yang Fang Zhang in the same incident. In addition, he is charged with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Mr Pouresmaeilieh and Ms Fang Zhang were found seriously injured in the first-floor flat at about 11.30pm after the alarm was raised by a member of the public.

Yesterday Guo was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday following his brief appearance before two magistrates.

Dressed in a dark crew-neck sweater and flanked by two security officers, one male and the other female, he sat impassively in the dock during the proceedings.

He either nodded or shook his head in response to questions from the court clerk but did not speak during his 10-minute appearance.

A female Chinese interpreter was brought to court to guide Guo through the proceedings and explain to him what was happening.

She translated what was said by prosecutor Gerry Sydenham and defence solicitor Mike Goodyear, who made no application for Guo to be released on bail.

Members of Mr Pouresmaeilieh’s family, who have described him as a gentle and considerate person, sat at the back of the court listening to the proceedings. He had been in the UK for 12 years and lived in the Bedlington area.

Mr Sydenham said he would not outline the circumstances surrounding his death because it would cause extreme distress to his relatives.

Mr Goodyear said: “The defendant is aware of his position, the grounds set out by the prosecution and that there is very little I can argue on his behalf.”

Guo, who is believed to have lived in the UK for about eight months, was led from the dock in handcuffs to await his appearance at the Crown Court.

Ms Fang Zhang, 45, who was also shot in Thursday’s incident, remains in hospital where her condition is described as stable.

Two other men arrested in connection with the shooting have been bailed pending further inquiries.