Rival Gunned Down in Cold Blood: Neasham Jailed for 20 Years
Stephen Neasham has been locked up for 20 years after trying to murder his 26-year-old rival in a shocking attack. Newcastle Crown Court heard how the 37-year-old staged a meeting in a back lane in Birtley to settle a dispute – but came armed with a rifle instead of dialogue.
Planned Ambush Ends in Attack
Neasham’s accomplice, 65-year-old Eric Smith, waited in a white van to act as the getaway driver after the shooting. The victim, a young dad, was rushed to hospital by friends and underwent life-saving surgery after being shot in the pelvis.
Neasham denied attempted murder, taking his case to trial. But both men were found guilty of plotting to kill and received a combined total of 37 years behind bars.
Police: “It Was Millimetres From Murder”
“This was a calculated, planned shooting,” said Detective Inspector Joanne Brooks of Northumbria Police. “Stephen Neasham only had one thought – to end his victim’s life at any cost. The bullet was millimetres from severing an artery and killing him. He’s lucky to avoid a life sentence.”
“Eric Smith will spend his twilight years in jail for enabling this cowardly attack. We won’t tolerate reckless violence in our communities,” she added.
Victim’s Courage Secures Justice
The court heard the victim turned up “alone and unarmed” on March 21 this year, hoping to settle the dispute “man to man.” Instead, Neasham leapt from the van shouting, “it ends tonight,” before firing the shot.
CCTV showed the chilling moment Neasham and Smith arrived and the shooting took place. Prosecutors slammed Neasham for “fanning the flames” of an ongoing feud with deadly intent.
Neasham and Smith, both from Bewicke Main Caravan Park, Lamesley, Gateshead, were convicted of attempted murder on September 25 and immediately remanded. Smith was sentenced to 17 years behind bars.
