In a case that has brought to light the harrowing consequences of gang violence, three men have been sentenced to a total of 69 years in prison for their roles in a drive-by shooting near a playground in Wolverhampton. Kian Durnin, 22, Martinho De-Sousa, 24, and Tireq McIntosh, 23, each received 23-year sentences for attempted murder following a trial earlier this month.
The shocking incident, which occurred on 1 May 2023, resulted in two children, an 11-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, suffering gunshot wounds. The playground, located near Shelley Road, was caught in the crossfire of what West Midlands Police believe to have been a violent feud between two rival gangs.
According to trial details, the men were in a stolen Ford Focus, from which they fired shots at the occupants of a stolen Mini Cooper. The playground where the children were at the time was described as being “right in the line of fire.
Both young victims were hit in the leg by bullets. The girl’s mother recounted the terrifying moment she discovered her daughter had been shot, describing the wound she saw in her leg. The boy, who was riding his bike in the playground car park at the time, was also struck in the leg.
Detective Inspector Francis Nock, from West Midlands Police, commented on the case, noting the luck involved in the children not sustaining more serious injuries or being killed. He stated that while the physical wounds have healed, the incident has left a lasting impact on the families involved.
DI Nock explained that the shooting likely stemmed from tensions between gangs in the Wolverhampton area and could be connected to illegal drug activities. He condemned the attack as “cowardly,” emphasizing the brazenness of the assailants in firing near a children’s playground.
In addition to their sentences for attempted murder, all three men received 18-month sentences each for aggravated vehicle taking, to be served concurrently. Durnin also received a concurrent two-month sentence for handling stolen goods in a separate incident.
