Imam machine-gun murder: Two jailed for 32 years

Abdul Hadi Arwani was well know and respected in his local west London community

Two men have been given life sentences for the murder of a Syrian-born imam in London last year.

Abdul Hadi Arwani, 48, from Acton, was sprayed with bullets from a MAC-10 sub-machine gun by Iraq war veteran Leslie Cooper on the orders of Khalid Rashad.

Rashad was also found guilty of possessing plastic explosives and ammunition at his Wembley home.

He claimed the 226g of explosives, 9mm bullet cartridge and five 8mm rounds in his garage were planted at his home.

As part of his defence, Rashad told jurors MI5 was "unhappy" he had twice refused to act as a "secret agent" for them, spying on the Muslim community in west London in 2012.

Leslie Cooper (L) and Khalid Rashad (R) were each sentenced to 32 years in prison

The court heard Jamaica-born Cooper, 38, did the "dirty work" for Rashad, 63, who had a long-running dispute with Mr Arwani over the ownership of the An Noor Cultural and Community Centre in Acton.

Mr Arwani was well-known and respected in his local community.

He had previously been an imam at the the mosque.

The murder trial heard how Mr Arwani, who also owned a successful building firm, was lured to his death to a meeting with a potential customer, "John", who was identified later as Cooper.

Rashad claimed plastic explosives and ammunition found at his Wembley had been planted

Cooper denied all knowledge of the murder when he was arrested, but a search of his home uncovered the MAC-10 with ammunition and silencer hidden inside a Marks & Spencer shopping bag.

Rashad denied knowledge of the murder or speaking to his co-accused about his dispute with the victim.

The two men were each sentenced to life with a minimum term of 32 years.