Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday, 31st October 2024, at 16:40hrs
The criminal use of firearms will not be tolerated across our region, say Durham Constabulary
A man from Northampton has been handed a lengthy custodial sentence following forearms discharge at addresses in the North East of England.
In a statement released after sentencing, Durham Police said:
“A man has been jailed for more than 12 years after discharging a firearm at an address in County Durham.
In March this year, Jack Walker used a stolen car from the Northampton area to drive to County Durham where he was involved in multiple gunshots being fired at a home in Staindrop.
At the time, the homeowner was making a bedtime snack for her child who was upstairs when the bullets travelled through the property. She was just meters away but thankfully neither the woman or child were injured.
Forensics later revealed that the bullets had travelled through the front door, with one bullet found lodged in a vacuum cleaner and another wedged in an internal wall.
The vehicle he had used in the incident was later recovered in the Cleveland area and a live grenade was found inside, which was safely destroyed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
The following month, Walker used another stolen vehicle and travelled to Thornaby where he targeted another property.
Gunshots were also fired at this address. The home was occupied but fortunately, nobody was injured in the shooting.
Working closely with our colleagues from Cleveland Police, officers were able to put Walker at the centre of these shootings and charged him in connection with the incidents.
Walker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and assisting an offender at an earlier court hearing.
The 30-year-old, of West Northampton, appeared at Teesside Crown Court today (October 31) and was sentenced to 12 years and six months.
💬 Head of Crime Operations, Detective Chief Inspector Lindsay Banks-Brown said: “Organised crime has no place in our communities and the criminal use of firearms will not be tolerated across our region.
“Thankfully, nobody was injured in the incidents in Staindrop and Cleveland. However, the levels of violence shown and attempts to intimidate will leave a lasting impact on the victims and affected communities.
“Following today’s sentencing, they can be reassured that we remain relentless and take robust action to disrupt and dismantle criminal fraternities that operate across our county.
“The investigation team worked meticulously to gather evidence which resulted in Walker pleading guilty to the offences and receiving a custodial sentence.
“They also helped to recover stolen vehicles and a number of prohibited weapons which have been destroyed and taken off the streets for good. A blank-firing 9mm pistol which was converted to fire live ammunition and used in the incident in Cleveland was also recovered.
“Walker will now spend a number of years reflecting on his actions and the consequences of those actions. I hope others involved in such criminality think twice about operating in these networks.”
Anyone with information on potential criminal activity in their area should call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 08000 555 111.”
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 