A US “hitwoman” has denied conspiring to murder a Birmingham shop owner and his family.

Aimee Betro was allegedly involved in a plot that saw Aslat Mahumad threatened with a firearm that jammed.

The 45-year-old appeared at Birmingham Crown Court to plead not guilty to conspiracy to murder.

She also denied possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and a charge related to the alleged importation of ammunition into the UK.

Betro is accused of conspiring with Mohammed Nazir and Mohammed Aslam to murder Aslat and members of his family between August 21 and September 10, 2019.

The firearms offence is alleged to have been committed on September 8 2019, while the ammunition smuggling charge relates to a period between September 12 and October 23, 2019.

Betro, from Wisconsin, was remanded into custody ahead of a provisional trial on July 21.

She will appear at the same court on April 3 for a pre-trial hearing.

Betro was extradited from Armenia and arrested at Gatwick Airport last month by National Crime Agency officers.

Ben Samples, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in West Midlands, said: “CPS West Midlands has worked closely with West Midlands Police, Derbyshire Police, the Armenian authorities and our own Extradition Unit to bring Ms Betro back to face proceedings in a UK court for alleged crimes that took place here.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Ms Betro are active and that she has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”