A Nottingham woman known as rapper “Bandit” has been charged with firearms offences following an incident in which a police officer was shot in the foot in the city centre.
Aisha Zaman, 27, of Collison Street, Hyson Green, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court after the shooting on Angel Row in the early hours of October 18.
She has been charged with possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of that firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
The weapon was described in court as an adapted shotgun.
Officer Shot At Around 4.50am
The incident happened at a bus stop on Angel Row at around 4.50am.
Nottinghamshire Police said an officer approached two people who were acting suspiciously before suffering a gunshot wound to his foot.
The injured officer was named in court as PC Lee Lane.
He remains in hospital and has undergone several operations following the shooting.
Prosecutors Say Gun Fell And Discharged
Prosecutor Mairin Long told Nottingham Magistrates’ Court that Zaman is alleged to have taken the firearm from a man before placing it inside her jacket.
The prosecution case is that the weapon then fell to the ground and discharged after PC Lane arrived at the scene.
A firearm resembling a sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun was photographed inside the police cordon following the incident.
Zaman has not been charged with deliberately shooting the officer.
Suspects Initially Fled Scene
Immediately after the shooting, police said a man and a woman had fled from Angel Row.
A major investigation was launched and officers recovered a firearm from the scene.
Later that day, police stopped a vehicle in the Radford area and arrested three people, including Zaman.
She was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Firearms Charges Brought
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Zaman was charged with two firearms offences.
The charges are possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of that firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
She spoke in court only to confirm her name, date of birth and address.
Evening In Nottingham Before Incident
The court heard Zaman had spent the previous evening at a Turtle Bay bar with friends before going to a nightclub.
She later met other people before the incident on Angel Row in the early hours.
The circumstances leading up to the firearm being discharged remain part of the criminal proceedings.
Several Other Arrests
A number of other people have been arrested as detectives continue investigating what happened before, during and after the shooting.
Two men aged 24 and 30 and two women aged 25 and 21 have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A 35-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and assisting an offender.
Remanded In Custody
Zaman was remanded in custody following her appearance at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
She is due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on November 20 for a plea hearing.
