Gun-toting duo terrorise Chapeltown shop and home
Benjamin Mills and his partner in crime, Ruwen James, went on a violent spree starting at Neil’s Superstore in Chapeltown on the evening of December 1, 2018. Mills fired a gun at a customer’s face while James, wielding a knife, forced the shopkeeper to hand over cigarettes and cash.
The pair fled but James brazenly returned to snatch a charity box from the counter. Moments later, Mills fired a shot through the shop’s open door, smashing bottles and forcing the shopkeeper to dive for cover.
Hostage horror in Woodhouse
Just days later, on December 5, Mills and an accomplice threatened a 53-year-old man in his Woodhouse home with a handgun and a knife. The victim was tied to a chair and told, “I will smoke you,” before enduring a loud bang and a blow to the head from what he feared was the gun.
The terrified victim was driven to Chapeltown but managed to escape and flag down a police officer.
Police swoop leads to dramatic arrest in Lincoln Green
Forensic teams linked spent .25 calibre shell casings to both crimes. Detectives traced Mills and James to Mushroom Street in Lincoln Green on December 6. Armed officers moved in as the pair neared Cross Stamford Street. Despite a desperate run, officers used distraction devices and a Taser to safely snare Mills, finding a loaded pistol and knife on him. James was caught with a knife.
Justice served: Long jail terms handed down
West Yorkshire Police’s Firearms Prevent and Investigations Team built a solid case. Mills was convicted of robbery, kidnap, and several firearm offences and jailed for 25 years at Leeds Crown Court.
James pleaded guilty to robbery and two knife possession charges, receiving six years and nine months behind bars.
Detective Superintendent Fiona Gaffney said: “The criminal use of firearms is something we will always treat extremely seriously and do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice. Live rounds were recklessly fired with no regard for the deadly consequences.
“The arrests were made swiftly in a challenging operation thanks to our firearms officers’ professionalism. This outcome sends a clear message that offences involving firearms will be met with severe consequences.”
