East London Ilford Pensioner Qamar Ashraf Killed in Ghana Robbery

Key Points

• Qamar Parvez Ashraf, a 68-year-old pensioner from Eastern Avenue in Ilford, east London, was fatally shot in the heart during a robbery attempt in Tema, Ghana, on November 7, 2025.
• The incident occurred at a drinking spot where robbers tried to steal his phone at gunpoint; Ashraf intervened and was shot.
• He was rushed to Tema General Hospital but died the same day from his injuries.
• Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine opened an inquest into his death at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
• The death was reported to the coroner’s court by the undertaker responsible for repatriating Ashraf’s body to London.

Ilford Pensioner Shot Dead in Ghana Robbery, Inquest Confirms

Qamar Parvez Ashraf, a 68-year-old pensioner residing on Eastern Avenue in Ilford, suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the heart during a brazen phone robbery at gunpoint in Tema, Ghana. The tragic incident unfolded on November 7, 2025, at a local drinking spot, where Ashraf attempted to thwart thieves targeting his mobile phone. He succumbed to his injuries later that day at Tema General Hospital.

Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine formally opened the inquest into Ashraf’s death at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow on December 11, 2025. As reported in initial court proceedings, the coroner noted that the death notification came directly from the undertaker who handled the repatriation of Ashraf’s body back to London. No further details on suspects or ongoing investigations in Ghana were disclosed during the brief hearing.

Who Was Qamar Parvez Ashraf?

Qamar Parvez Ashraf, aged 68, hailed from Ilford in east London, specifically living on Eastern Avenue. Described as a pensioner, he was visiting Ghana at the time of the incident, a common destination for members of the British-Ghanaian community. Local reports from the inquest highlight his residency in the area, underscoring the personal tragedy for his Ilford-based family and friends.

Details emerging from the coroner’s opening reveal Ashraf’s attempt to resist the robbery, which led to the fatal shooting. Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine confirmed during the hearing that Ashraf was shot after intervening in the gunpoint theft of his phone. No additional biographical information, such as family statements or travel purpose, was provided in the court summary.

What Happened During the Robbery in Tema?

The robbery took place at a drinking spot in Tema, a bustling port city near Accra, on November 7, 2025. Robbers approached Ashraf demanding his phone at gunpoint, prompting his intervention. He was shot in the heart as a result, with the incident reported swiftly to local authorities.

Ashraf was transported to Tema General Hospital following the shooting but was pronounced dead on arrival that same day. As per the inquest details, the coroner received formal notification from the undertaker involved in repatriating the body, indicating coordination between Ghanaian medical and UK authorities.

Where and When Did the Incident Occur?

The fatal event occurred in Tema, Ghana, specifically at a drinking spot, on Friday, November 7, 2025. Tema General Hospital, where Ashraf was taken for treatment, confirmed his death later that day. The location’s proximity to Accra made it a plausible stop for visitors from the UK diaspora.

In the UK, the inquest opened at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow on Thursday, December 11, 2025—over a month after the incident. Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine presided, marking the formal start of proceedings into the unnatural death.

Why Did Qamar Parvez Ashraf Intervene in the Robbery?

During the inquest, Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine stated that Ashraf was shot after trying to stop the robbers from stealing his phone. This act of resistance at the gunpoint robbery directly led to the fatal heart wound. No motives beyond the phone theft were specified in the court records.

The undertaker’s report to the court, as noted by Irvine, provided the sequence of events, emphasising Ashraf’s intervention as the trigger. Ghanaian police details, if any, were not shared in the UK hearing.

How Was the Death Reported to UK Authorities?

Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine explained that the death was reported to East London Coroner’s Court by the undertaker who repatriated Ashraf’s body to London. This standard procedure ensured the case entered the formal inquest process. The repatriation highlights logistical efforts by family or officials to return the pensioner home.

The brief opening on December 11, 2025, focused solely on these facts, with no adjournment details or next hearing dates announced publicly. Irvine’s role remains to investigate the circumstances fully.

What Is Known About the Inquest Process?

Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine opened the inquest at Walthamstow’s East London Coroner’s Court, adhering to UK protocols for deaths abroad. The hearing on December 11, 2025, was preliminary, recording the basic facts of Ashraf’s demise. Full pathological and witness evidence will follow in subsequent sessions.

As per coronial practice, the undertaker’s notification triggered the process, given the violent nature of the death. No verdicts or conclusions were reached at this stage.

Were There Any Witnesses or Suspect Details?

Court records from Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine’s opening do not mention witnesses or suspects, focusing instead on the robbery’s immediate aftermath. The gunpoint phone theft at the Tema drinking spot implies bystanders, but no statements were cited. Ghanaian investigations, if underway, remain unreported in UK proceedings.

The emphasis stays on Ashraf’s fatal intervention, with the heart shot as the cause of death at Tema General Hospital.

What Support Is Available for Ashraf’s Family?

While no family statements appear in available reports, UK protocols offer consular support via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for Britons dying abroad. Repatriation, handled by the undertaker, indicates such assistance was utilised. Ilford community groups may provide local aid, though unconfirmed.

Senior Coroner Irvine’s inquest aims to deliver clarity, potentially aiding closure. Bereavement services in east London stand ready for cases like this.

How Does This Fit Into Broader Crime Trends?

Phone snatchings at gunpoint echo rising street robberies in Ghana’s urban areas, though specifics for Tema on November 7, 2025, are limited to this case. In the UK, Ilford sees similar incidents, but Ashraf’s death abroad amplifies cross-border concerns. Coroner Irvine’s hearing underscores vigilance for travellers.

No linked cases were referenced, keeping focus on this isolated tragedy. Britons in Ghana are advised caution at public spots.

What Happens Next in the Inquest?

The inquest opened by Senior Coroner Graeme Irvine on December 11, 2025, sets the stage for deeper probes, including post-mortem results and Ghanaian police input. Adjournments are standard, with a full hearing to determine cause and circumstances. The undertaker’s role concludes post-repatriation.

Families await toxicology and ballistic evidence, ensuring comprehensive findings. Walthamstow court will update publicly as proceedings advance.