Teen jailed for attempted murder in Coventry
The 17-year-old also admitted GBH in Rugby
A 17-year-old boy has been jailed for two incidents that took place in Coventry and Rugby within a two day timeframe.
Warwick Crown Court heard how police were called to Grosvenor Road in Rugby shortly before 5pm on Saturday 27 February following a sighting of man with a sawn-off shotgun and a single gunshot being heard.
A short time later it came to light that a 22-year-old man from Rugby had been admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds to the face.
The offender fled the crime scene but was later arrested, on the canal towpath near to Reservoir Road in Rugby.
A sawn-off shotgun and ammunition were found in a bag hidden near to the location they were arrested.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was subsequently charged and remanded in custody.
The boy was further charged by West Midlands Police with attempted murder for an unrelated incident that occurred in Coventry on 25 February - just two days prior to the Rugby incident.
The boy went on trial at Warwick Crown Court where he was found guilty of attempted murder in relation to the Coventry incident.
He was sentenced on Thursday (23 December) to 12 years imprisonment.
Having already pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in connection with the Rugby incident, he was also jailed for five years.
The two sentences will run consecutively and once released, the 17-year-old will be on licence for a further three years after being deemed to be a dangerous offender by the judge.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Scott Loughran from Warwickshire Police Major Investigations Unit said:
“These shocking crimes were perpetrated by a minor who showed a complete lack of empathy and disregard for human life.
“I sincerely hope that the sentencing will make him rethink his life plan and realise the potentially devastating consequences of such actions; to his own life as well as the lives of others.
“I would like to reassure our communities that Warwickshire Police is committed to removing weapons from our streets and strive to bring to justice those that may use them.
“I urge anybody that has any information or concerns around weapons to contact us, as together we can protect our communities from harm.”