Two Gunmen Locked Up for 9 and 7 Years Over Shocking Essex Shooting Spree
Thomas Connors, 24, from Edgware, Middlesex, has been sentenced to nine-and-a-half years behind bars. His accomplice, Thomas Saunders from Rayleigh, Essex, was handed seven years. Both were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on 31 March.
Shots Fired in Hovefields Avenue
On 9 September 2020, a terrified victim in Hovefields Avenue was woken by gunfire. He confronted Saunders at the door after hearing the shots. When Saunders left, the victim found his living room window smashed, along with damage to a caravan and a car on his property.
Police Recover Stolen Firearm, Three Guns Taken Off Streets
The day after the shooting, police executed a search warrant at Saunders’ home. They found a shotgun and two more guns hidden in nearby woods. The shotgun was stolen eight months earlier in a burglary at Layer-de-la-Haye.
Forensic tests on a suspected getaway car linked Saunders and Connors to the crime.
Chased and Caught in Twickenham
On 19 October 2020, the pair were spotted in a car on Twickenham High Street. After a brief police chase, officers from the Metropolitan Police arrested them. Connors was caught driving on a provisional licence.
“The court has jailed both men for substantial periods of time, which shows how seriously they view these offences.
This is a fantastic result. Not only has it taken two dangerous offenders and three firearms off our streets, it demonstrates that even organised criminals are not above the law or beyond the reach of Essex Police,” said Detective Sergeant Steve Robson from the Serious Organised Crime Unit.
“We don’t tolerate criminals who use guns. Thankfully no-one was injured. We spent a great deal of time tracking them down and ensuring justice was served. The three guns recovered will be destroyed.”
Sentences Stacked for Connors and Saunders
- Thomas Connors: Nine years and six months total. Seven years for encouraging offences, one year for criminal damage (concurrent), and six months for dangerous driving (consecutive). Plus a two-year driving ban and extended driving test after release.
- Additional convictions for unrelated burglaries earned Connors another two-year sentence for aggravated burglary (consecutive) and two years for three burglaries (concurrent).
- Thomas Saunders: Seven years total. Seven years for possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, with an additional one year for criminal damage (concurrent).
Their time behind bars sends a clear warning to criminals running gun crime rings across Essex and beyond.
