US hitwoman in niqab disguise guilty of conspiracy to murder in Birmingham

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A US citizen has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder in relation to a failed assassination plot in Birmingham in September 2019.

Aimee Betro, 45, appeared in Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday wearing a purple T-shirt and with her hair in space buns.

She showed no obvious reaction and stared towards the jury bench as the verdicts were returned.

She was found guilty by majority 11-verdicts on charges of conspiracy to murder and possessing a self-loading pistol with intent to cause fear of violence.

She was found guilty by a unanimous verdict on a charge of illegally importing ammunition.

Jurors deliberated for almost 21 hours before handing down the verdicts.

Betro, who is originally from West Allis in Wisconsin but spent several years in Armenia before her arrest in January this year, will be sentenced on Thursday August 21.

Defence barrister Paul Lewis KC said he was not asking for pre-sentence reports as they would not assist the court.

Judge Simon Drew KC told the court: “I suspect Miss Betro would like to know the outcome of this case and there is nothing worse than sitting waiting.”

Betro also showed no emotion as she was remanded in custody and led away to the cells.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…