Man accused of double murder after fatal Wolverhampton shooting appears in court

Duaine Mills, 28, and 32-year-old Syed Zain Ali, died after a shooting in Leicester Street in the early hours of September 19.

Maneer Khan, 38, was arrested and charged with both of their murders last week, West Midlands Police said.

Khan appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court via video link from HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire alongside 34-year-old Yaseen Patel, from Birmingham, who is charged with assisting an offender.

Both Khan, who had a shaved head, and Patel wore dark clothing with an orange sash and sat next to each other behind a table for the brief hearing in front of Judge Michael Chambers KC.

Each of the defendants put their hand up when asked by the court clerk to identify themselves.

The court was told the pair would likely face a trial lasting three weeks, although a provisional date was not set.

Khan and Patel were told by Judge Chambers they would need to appear in court in person in January to enter pleas.

The judge said: “Your case is being adjourned, the next hearing will be the fifth January when you will be asked if you plead guilty or not guilty.

“In the meantime, you must remain in custody.”