Gang Guns Down Playground: Three Jailed for 69 Years
Three men have been slammed with a combined 69 years behind bars for a shocking drive-by shooting near a Wolverhampton playground. Kian Durnin, 22, Martinho De-Sousa, 24, and Tireq McIntosh, 23, each got 23 years for attempted murder after firing shots that injured two kids.
Children Caught in Crossfire of Gang Feud
The terrifying attack unfolded on 1 May 2023 close to Shelley Road, where an 11-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were hit by bullets in the leg. Police say the playground was “right in the line of fire” amid a brutal gang rivalry.
- The shooters fired from a stolen Ford Focus at rivals in a stolen Mini Cooper.
- The young girl’s mum described the horror of finding her daughter with a gunshot wound.
- The boy was riding his bike in the car park when struck.
Detective Slams ‘Cowardly’ Attack Near Children
Detective Inspector Francis Nock of West Midlands Police voiced shock at the incident and praised the good fortune that the children survived without more serious injuries.
“This attack was cowardly and utterly brazen, firing near a children’s playground out of sheer recklessness,” DI Nock said. “It’s tied to gang tensions and likely drug dealings in Wolverhampton.”
Besides their murder sentences, all three also received 18 months each for aggravated vehicle taking, served concurrently. Durnin picked up an extra two-month stretch for handling stolen goods.
The case exposes grim realities of gang violence spilling into innocent lives. Authorities vow tough action to keep playgrounds safe.
