Life sentence for jealous assassin

Sep 27 2008 by Hilary Clixby, The Journal

AN illegal immigrant driven by jealousy when he shot dead a North East businessman in a planned execution has been jailed for life.

Zhong Guo must serve a minimum 24 years behind bars for the cold-blooded assassination of Iranian Shahdad Pouresmaeilieh.

The Chinese national was jealous of the close relationship his partner Yung Fang Zhang had with Mr Pouresmaeilieh, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

And armed with an automatic pistol, he shot the 44-year-old in the head at point blank range before turning the gun on Ms Zhang, the court was told.

Prosecutor Paul Sloan, QC, said Mr Pouresmaeilieh – known as Shaz – had been in Ms Zhang’s bedroom in the flat above the Dragon House takeaway they ran in Elliott Street, Blyth, Northumberland, when Guo suddenly appeared in the room.

"Without a word, he approached Shaz as he sat on the bed, brought the gun up very close to his head and fired," said Mr Sloan. "Shaz slumped down bleeding onto the defendant. He subsequently fell to the floor.

"The defendant then proceeded to fire two bullets into Ms Zhang – first into the head and then into the abdomen.

"By sheer chance, the fourth and final round jammed in the gun’s chamber. But for that fact, Ms Zhang would probably not be alive today."

Mr Pouresmaeilieh, described as a hard-working, law abiding "good and kind" man, died instantly. Ms Zhang, 46, survived but was left with devastating injuries including a shattered jaw.

Guo, 43, of Arthur Street, Blyth, had admitted Mr Pouresmaeilieh’s murder, the attempted murder of Ms Zhang and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The court heard Guo had known Ms Zhang from their schooldays in their native China. He met her again by chance and they began a relationship, both later moving to England for a better life – he first and she a year later – and developing their business interests.

But Mr Sloan said Guo became increasingly jealous of Ms Zhang’s business relationship with Mr Pouresmaeilieh.

"He doubtless also suspected the relationship had developed beyond a simple business partnership, so sexual jealousy had come to play a significant part," he said.

He said Guo had gone on to confront both the victims in a bid to force them to end their relationship, threatening to shoot them as well as her family if she did not comply.

Just two days before the shooting, he had warned that Ms Zhang had only two days left to live.

Passing sentence, Judge David Hodson said he accepted Guo carried the burden of remorse and shame for what he had done an gave him credit for his guilty pleas.

But he told him: "This was a pre-meditated killing.

"It has rightly been described as the execution of Shaz, whom you believed, and so it appears rightly believed, was having a close relationship with Ms Zhang, a woman to whom you had become devoted."

Toby Hedworth, QC, said Guo had originally obtained the gun in a attempt to force Ms Zhan and Mr Pouresmaeilieh to end their relationship. He said Guo had planned to commit suicide after killing his victims, unable to cope with his feelings of desolation and abandonment.

"He has taken the life of a good man and he knows he cannot turn the clock back for what he has done. Ultimately he stands before you a terrified and empty man."