Guilty: Gunman shot victim at point-blank range in car park

Armed predator Leon Haughton hunted his victim with a stolen shotgun, fitted GPS trackers to his car & opened fire in a calculated 1am ambush caught on CCTV. Leon Haughton has been found guilty of attempted murder following a brazen point-blank shooting in a Dudley car park in the early hours of 6 April.

Haughton, 34, from Wolverhampton, discharged a shotgun at his victim in his 20s at approximately 1.20am before fleeing the scene, captured on CCTV as he ran to his vehicle and drove away.

The victim arrived at hospital 25 minutes later with a gunshot wound, prompting a rapid and detailed investigation by West Midlands Police.

Officers worked around the clock to collate CCTV evidence from the surrounding area, identifying Haughton and tracing his movements in the days after the attack.

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Arrested on Great Hampton Street on 14 April after being spotted driving by armed officers, Haughton’s car contained a viable shortened shotgun in the boot, still loaded, with 11 cartridges recovered alongside it.

Investigators determined the firearm had been stolen during a burglary in West Mercia in 2023, further linking Haughton to a history of criminal activity.

Police evidence revealed the attack was premeditated; Haughton had tracked the victim’s movements and placed GPS devices under the car using cable ties secured to metalwork.

Additional investigation uncovered extensive research Haughton had carried out on the victim, demonstrating a calculated targeting rather than a chance confrontation.

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Haughton faced multiple charges including attempted murder, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of a prohibited firearm.

During his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to the possession offences, while the jury returned a verdict of guilty on the attempted murder charge on 10 October.