Gunmen Jailed After Soho Street Shooting Horror
Three men were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, 14 April, following a brazen shootout in Soho that left a young man fighting for his life. The dangerous trio included Richard Palmer, 39, Bolanle Roberts, 43, and Robert Dolan, 34 — all landing hefty prison terms for their roles in attempted murder, firearms possession, and drug offences.
15 Years Behind Bars for Soho Shooting
- Richard Palmer of Ealing was locked up for 15-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Palmer was caught on CCTV near the scene and was the shooter who fired two shots into a man’s back on Rupert Street.
- Bolanle Roberts, also from Ealing, received 15 years for multiple offences including possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life, transferring prohibited firearms, and large scale Class A drug supply.
- Robert Dolan of Hounslow was jailed for 12-and-a-half years for assisting an offender and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
The Soho Shooting and Aftermath
In the early hours of 25 August 2019, Palmer was a passenger in a silver Jaguar spotted near a Soho nightclub. A fight erupted inside the club, spilling onto Rupert Street, where Palmer pulled a loaded Beretta handgun from his bag and fired at a man in his 20s amid shocked bystanders.
The victim survived despite two gunshot wounds to the back and serious internal injuries. The stabbing victim from the same nightclub fight also escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police Hunt Down Armed Cache and Drug Haul
Met detectives traced the silver Jaguar to Ruislip, finding Palmer’s fingerprints inside. They uncovered that Palmer and Roberts met the day after the shooting to ditch the Beretta. Roberts was arrested on 27 August 2019 with nearly £50,000 cash, heroin, crack cocaine, and keys to a property in Ruislip.
A search of the flat revealed a hoard of working firearms, ammunition, and 2.17kg of heroin worth £95,000. The weapons included the loaded Beretta used in the shooting, fitted with a homemade silencer.
Roberts acted as a ‘quartermaster’, supplying guns and ammo to criminals on demand. Meanwhile, Palmer went into hiding, aided by Dolan, who helped him lie low in a Hanwell hotel. Both were arrested within days.
Police Praise Community and Vow to Fight Gun Crime
“Every bullet seized is a potential life saved,” said Detective Sergeant Chris Ladmore. “This brutal shooting shows the reckless danger these men pose to London’s streets. Our priority remains to tackle violent crime and keep firearms off our communities.”
Detective Chief Inspector Sean Stewart added: “Thanks to excellent police work and brave witnesses, these violent offenders have been removed from the streets. We urge anyone with information about weapon carriers to come forward — help us keep London safe.”
This case sends a clear message: firearms have no place in London, and the police will relentlessly pursue anyone caught carrying or supplying deadly weapons.
