A Rotherham man has been convicted of murder alongside others involved in supplying drugs across Sheffield after a dispute led to a fatal shooting
After a six-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court,ย Alex Taff (31), alongside Demi Dunford, Andrew Horton and Osai Williams, was yesterday (16 December) found guilty of murder over the fatal shooting of Abdullah Hassan in 2023.
On 9 April, police and paramedics rushed to flats on Callow Drive after residents called for help and attempted to save 26-year-old Abdullahโs life.
Abdullah was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem confirmed he died of a single gun shot wound to his thigh.
Evidence from CCTV, forensics, mobile phone data, and ballistic reports demonstrated to officers that Dunford had been engaged in a dispute with Abdullah for several weeks, following the emergence of drug supply and dealings.
On 8 April, the gang came together on Callow Drive and called Abdullah to lure him from his property. As he exited the block of flats through the fire exit, he was shot in the upper thigh.
The gang fled the scene and in the following days attempted to cover up their work and evidence.
Dunford and Williams travelled from Sheffield to London and to Southend-on-Sea, staying overnight in accommodation. After travelling back to Sheffield, Dunford was arrested.
Two days after the murder, Horton, alongside his sister Emma Horton, took his car that had been used to drive Dunford and Williams away from the scene to a car wash in the Attercliffe area of the city to get it valeted. This was an attempt to clean away any forensic evidence linking Andrew Horton to the murder.
Yesterday, at Sheffield Crown Court, a jury found Demi Dunford, 29, of Derby Street, Sheffield, guilty of murder and two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. Alex Taff, 31, of Springfields, Rotherham, was found guilty of murder. Andrew Horton, 48, of HMP Doncaster, was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Osai Williams, 29, of HMP Lowdham Grange, was found guilty of murder. Emma Horton, 38, of Blackstock Road, Sheffield, was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles, said: โAfter a lengthy investigation, justice has been secured for Abdullah, and our thoughts remain with all who loved him.
โTogether, we can ensure that offenders like Dunford, Taff, Horton, and Williams remain behind bars.
โYesterdayโs verdict brings closure to a lengthy and complex investigation, and I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed, including members of the public and my team of officers who worked tirelessly to achieve justice for Abdullah and his family.โ
Dunford, Taff, Horton and Williams will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 16 January 2026 for sentencing.
