Two gunmen guilty of trying to kill four in Sutton Coldfield

Two men have been convicted of attempting to murder four people in a shooting on a Sutton Coldfield estate that left one man paralysed.

Tyrese Henry, 22, of Javelin Avenue, Castle Vale, and Mikey Large, 20, of Padgate Close, Castle Vale, were each found guilty of four counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

What happened

The shooting happened at about 11.20pm on 31 January this year in Mount View, on the Falcon Lodge estate in Sutton Coldfield. The gunmen arrived on high-powered electric bikes and opened fire.

One man was shot in the leg, arm and chest. A bullet lodged in his spine, leaving him permanently paralysed from the waist down. A second man escaped injury, a woman was grazed by a bullet, and a BMW being driven nearby was hit by gunfire.

A third person convicted

Laney Jones, 32, of Northolt Drive, Castle Vale, who is Henry's girlfriend, was found guilty of two counts of assisting an offender by providing transport.

"Indiscriminate shootings"

Detective Inspector Francis Nock said: "These were indiscriminate shootings which could easily have resulted in deaths."

Sentencing

The three will be sentenced on 30 November. Attempted murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life also carries a maximum of life.

Gun crime in the region

Although gun crime remains rare compared with many other countries, police in Birmingham deal with a number of shootings each year, often linked to disputes between criminal groups and to the drugs trade. Police say many involve young men, and that innocent people, like the woman grazed in this attack, can be caught up in the violence.

Last month, a 19-year-old from Sparkbrook was jailed for converting blank-firing pistols into working guns, which the National Crime Agency said could each be sold for up to 3,000 pounds to criminals.

E-bikes and crime

Police across the country have raised concerns about the use of high-powered electric bikes and scooters in crime, because they are fast, quiet and can travel along paths where cars cannot follow. Some are illegal to ride on public roads because they are more powerful than the law allows.

Living with the consequences

Victims of serious violence often face life-changing injuries and long recoveries. Support is available from victim support services, whether or not a case goes to court, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority can award compensation to people who are injured by violent crime.

Report guns and knives

Anyone with information about people carrying or storing guns can call the police on 101 or, in an emergency, 999. Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and young people can use the charity's Fearless website.

Castle Vale and Falcon Lodge

Castle Vale, in the north east of Birmingham, and Falcon Lodge, on the eastern side of Sutton Coldfield, are close to each other. Community groups in both areas run youth projects aimed at keeping young people away from crime.

How the case was built

Investigations into shootings often rely on a combination of evidence, including CCTV and doorbell camera footage, mobile phone records, forensic examination of bullets and cartridge cases, and witness statements. Detectives say information from the public, even small details such as a vehicle seen nearby, can be crucial in identifying those responsible.