A DRIVE-BY shooting victim who was left for dead in the street then had to be be dragged to court was told: “If you are a member of any sort of gang then walk away from it.”

Waris Kayani was left with fragments from a bullet embedded in his skull after being shot in the head by Zain Shah, 22, in Luton last September.

But Mr Kayani, who was shot as he approached the Audi with a crowbar in his hand, found himself in trouble with Judge Michael Gledhill KC after initially failing to turn up to give evidence in the attempted murder trial of his shooter.

READ MORE: Shooter found guilty of attempted murder

He was arrested by the police on a court-issued warrant and gave his evidence from behind a curtain, screening him from the man who had tried to kill him.

Judge Gledhill began contempt of court proceedings against Mr Kayani and two other witnesses, Rejas Maqsood and Imran Hussain, who had to be arrested after failing to answer court summons.

Dragging the Luton men back to Oxford Crown Court on Thursday – two days after jailing shooter Shah for almost 29 years – the judge said he would not punish the three for showing ‘contempt’ for the court.

Judge Gledhill, who read letters of apology from all three men, noted their concern about reprisals but said: “Learn the lesson. Duties come with rights. And now you know what to do if you are so fearful. You speak to the officers and they’ll do what they can to make sure the streets where you live are safe.”

He told Mr Kayani that he ‘couldn’t have shown more contempt for the court’ and rubbished his suggestion that the police had done ‘nothing for him’.

“The police in this case have done everything that could possibly be done to bring those who shot you to justice,” he said.

“I understand that there is a huge amount of lawlessness in parts of Luton and it must be absolutely terrifying for people who live in that community to know that next door or in the next street or half a mile away there are people who would use violence to promote their gang interests.

“And that is what this case was all about. I don’t know the details because no one’s been prepared to speak about it.

“You didn’t have that crowbar with you to fix any car. You had it with you as a weapon.

“It’s very fortunate indeed for you that you are still here, so you’ve got to take responsibility for your actions.

“The police are there to help. You are not above the law. Nobody is above the law.”

READ MORE: 29 years inside for Luton 'shooter'

The judge added: “If there is unlawful behaviour going on, you know what to do. Clear up this part of Luton and get rid of these gangs. If you are a member of any sort of gang then walk away from it.”

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward