Four men jailed for over 100 years after man shot in the back in Wolverhampton

Four men have been sentenced to more than 100 years in jail after being convicted of attempting to murder a man after they chased him down a Wolverhampton street and shot him in the back.

Their 45-year-old victim survived the attack in Horseley Fields at around 11pm on 18 September, 2024, and was able to attend hospital where he was treated before later being discharged.

Earlier that evening his car grey Mercedes, which he'd parked outside a pub in Harp Street, had had its tyres slashed.

As he later left the pub he was followed and chased down by a group of men before being shot at in Minerva Street.

A black Mercedes had followed the chasing group down the road and then drove them away.

Investigators found that two men travelled from Birmingham to Wolverhampton in the car and when they got to the Bilston area they went to an industrial estate where they met up with two other men.

Forensic phone work linked all four defendants, Richard Beckles, Cleon Johnson, Constantine Campbell and Khyle Gayle to each other, with numerous calls being made between them.

The four men were convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court of attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Beckles, aged 44, of Wavertree Close, Telford; Johnson, 39, of Sparrows Forge Drive, Walsall; Gayle, 31, of Faulkners Farm Drive, Birmingham, were each yesterday (Thu) jailed for 30 years.

Campbell, aged 52, of Puddlers Drive, Tipton was sentenced to 27 years.

A fifth man, Michael Soledolu, was found not guilty of the charges.

Lead investigator Det Insp Francis Nock from our Major Crime Unit, said: "Although their intended target survived this attack, shots being fired at someone in the street is a terrifying prospect for most people and we will not tolerate this in our cities or towns.

"The offenders tried to cover their tracks by using various vehicles and pick-up points but we were able to piece together their movements, link their activity and ultimately put together a case which has seen them convicted of attempted murder and rightly jailed for a very significant amount of time."

Officers use local intelligence, seize goods, carry out warrants and target offenders as part of Op Target’s ongoing crackdown against serious and organised crime.

People with information should contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55111.