Two men convicted and facing jail after shooting in South Tyneside
Shots were fired at the front of door of an address last September
Two men have been convicted and are facing jail after a shooting in South Tyneside.
Accomplices Aaron Giles and Kevin Chapman were yesterday (Monday) found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life after a third man fired a shotgun at a home in South Shields.
Two shots were fired at the front door of an address on Brownlow Road on the evening of September 21 last year. Thankfully no-one was injured but an investigation was immediately launched by Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team (MIT).
The team swiftly compiled a case using CCTV and telecoms activity – which went on to highlight Giles and taxi driver Chapman’s involvement.
CCTV captured Chapman’s Skoda driving past the address as Giles shouted out the victim’s name. The unidentified gunman then fired twice at the address before fleeing the scene.
Following a 14-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Giles, 29, of Richardson Avenue, South Shields, and Chapman, 40, of Hawthorne Avenue, South Shields, were both found not guilty of conspiracy to murder, but a jury convicted both of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
They were remanded into custody and will be sentenced at the same court on May 5.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police who led the investigation, said:
“This was an appalling incident that saw a shotgun brazenly fired at an address in South Shields. It is sheer luck that nobody was seriously injured or killed.
“From the outset of this investigation, we were determined to ensure effective justice was brought against anybody found to have had any involvement in this shooting – and I am pleased that the jury have now convicted Giles and Chapman for their roles.
“This outcome is only possible thanks to the outstanding work of a team of detectives and staff from across the Force who carried out a huge amount of enquiries in order to ensure both defendants had their day in court. I would also like to thank our colleagues at the Crown Prosecution Service for their continued support.
“Incidents of this nature are rare in our area, but when they do occur we take them extremely seriously and are committed to acting quickly and robustly.”
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