Three jailed over drug gang shooting

3 hours ago

Elliot BallWest Midlands

News image — Three men have been jailed for their part in a shooting in Redditch over drug supply

West Mercia Police Deago Martin, Keelan Brookes and Kaine Simmonds. The three men each have a straight face in front of a grey background. Martin has black hair and a patchy black beard. Brookes has short light brown hair and stubble. Simmonds has short dark hair and a thick dark beard. — Three men have been jailed for their part in a shooting in Redditch over drug supply

Three men from Birmingham involved in drug supply have been jailed for their part in a shooting in Worcestershire.

Deago Martin 22, of Staffordshire Pool Close, Keelan Brookes, 21, whose address cannot be published, and Kaine Simmonds, 26, of Club View, were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday.

The trio were found guilty on 18 November following an 11-week trial following the incident on 26 March 2024.

Police were called to Ombersley Close in Redditch following reports of gun shots, with one bullet narrowly missing a child's car seat.

Martin was found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He was handed a 16-year sentence and was told he would spend at least 10 and a half years in jail.

Brookes was found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He received 14 years.

Simmonds was found guilty of three counts of drug supply and assisting an offender. He received seven years and eight months.

Google Maps A street-level image of Ombersley Close in Redditch. The road has a blue sign with the road's name on it and green hedges on either side of the road. A light blue car is parked on the edge of the road's entrance and cream coloured houses are positioned on the right side of the road. — One bullet fired by the men narrowly missed a child's car seat on the Redditch road

West Mercia Police said that during the trial the court heard how Brookes was approached by Martin and, following an exchange of words, both men produced a firearm.

Brookes discharged his gun in the direction of Martin, to which Martin returned fire.

Three shots were exchanged over an car with two people inside, the force added, and bullets penetrated the rear of the vehicle and stopped short of an unoccupied child seat.

The two people in the car were not injured.

An investigation established the shooting stemmed from a turf dispute between two rival drug gangs who were operating in Redditch, police said.

Det Ch Insp Ben Arrowsmith said: "It is important to remember the complete disregard Martin and Brookes showed when they discharged firearms without any thought for the potential danger of their actions and the devastation it could have caused.

"I would like to commend the team who worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and their work has exposed two drug lines that supplied drugs into Redditch."

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