Wolverhampton gunman jailed for brutal point-blank shooting

A shotgun attacker who opened fire at close range in Wolverhampton has been jailed after a dramatic arrest involving drones, dog units & key CCTV evidence in the case.

A gunman who fired a shotgun at close range during a violent confrontation in Wolverhampton has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for attempted murder, after admitting he intended to kill his victim in a targeted late-night attack.

Police said the shooting unfolded near a park in Dudley Road on 27 August following a dispute between several people known to the defendant, 27-year-old Kieron Thomas, of Elizabeth Avenue, Wolverhampton. Thomas produced a shotgun and fired at the victim at point-blank range, inflicting serious injuries to his torso and arm before fleeing the scene.

The injured man managed to reach a nearby property and raise the alarm. Specially trained firearms officers provided emergency first aid ahead of the arrival of paramedics, who transferred the victim to hospital for urgent treatment.

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Detectives examined hours of CCTV footage and mobile phone records to reconstruct the movements of those present before and after the shooting. Within two weeks Thomas had been identified as the principal suspect. Firearms officers executed a warrant at an address in Wolverhampton, but Thomas attempted to escape across fences and through rear gardens. He was quickly located and detained with the assistance of drone and dog units.

A balaclava and a glove were recovered during the search of the gardens, both containing a shotgun cartridge. A further 27 cartridges were seized from the associated address, strengthening the forensic and evidential picture assembled by the investigation team.

Thomas pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent at a hearing last month. He was sentenced on Friday, 21 November.

Detective Inspector Francis Nock of the Major Crime Team said the CCTV, telephony and physical evidence presented to the court was “so strong” that Thomas had little option but to admit responsibility.

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