Four jailed for killing man in drive-by shooting in Mexborough

20 year-old Lewis Williams was part of a rival gang.

Author: Harry LongPublished 29th Oct 2021
Last updated 29th Oct 2021

Two men and two teenage boys have been sentenced - after a man was killed in a drive-by shooting in Mexborough in January.

20 year-old Lewis Williams, from Rotherham, was targeted because he was part of a rival gang.

Jack Parkes, 21, formerly of Arnold Crescent, Doncaster; Joe Anderton, 18, formerly of Jubilee Road, Doncaster; Taylor Meanley, 17, formerly of Victoria Street, Mexborough and Arlind Nika, 16, of formerly of Spellman Street, London, were sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court today.

Parkes and Meanley were found guilty of murder, while Anderton and Nika were found guilty of manslaughter on 15 October following a six-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

All four were also convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Parkes has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with minimum of 27 years

Meanley has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 27 years

Anderton has been sentenced to detention for 12 years

Nika has been sentenced to detention for 12 years

Detective Chief Inspector James Axe, who led the inquiry, said: “I would like to offer my condolences to Lewis’ family and thank them for their continued support throughout these proceedings. I hope the sentences handed down by the judge today will help to provide them with some comfort.”

The court heard that Parkes, Meanley, Anderton and Nika met at a BP service station in Goldthorpe, before all getting into a car together.

DCI Axe added: “As well as the defendants, there was a gun in that car. The car pulled away just after 4pm and was driven to Wath Road, Mexborough.

“The car was driven past Lewis once, before being turned around and doubling back. It was on that second drive past that a shot was fired by Meanley – hitting Lewis in the neck.”

When police arrived at the scene, they found Lewis with serious injuries. Despite the best efforts of both members of the public and paramedics, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died as a result of gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.

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