Three Birmingham men have been jailed after a child's car seat was struck by a bullet during a turf war shooting in a Worcestershire town. Deago Martin, Keelan Brookes, and Kaine Simmonds, all from Birmingham, were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on April 29 after tensions escalated between two rival drug gangs.
Police were called to Ombersley Close in Redditch at around 1:15 pm on March 26, 2024, following reports of gunshots. The incident occurred when Brookes, 21, who was part of the Frank Line sourcing drugs from Birmingham, was approached by Martin, 22, who ran the Captain Line supplying drugs from Birmingham into Redditch. Brookes had been attempting to encroach on the Captain Line territory, and after an exchange of words, both men produced firearms.
Brookes discharged his gun in Martin's direction, and Martin returned fire, according to West Mercia Police. Three shots were exchanged over an occupied car, and bullets penetrated the rear of the vehicle, hitting an unoccupied child seat. Fortunately, the two people inside the car were not injured. The investigation established that the shooting stemmed from a turf dispute between two rival drug gangs operating in Redditch.
Both men fled the scene. Martin discarded his clothing, while Brookes was assisted by a network of associates who provided him with transport and temporary accommodation to evade capture. Martin and Brookes showed no empathy for their actions, and after their phones were seized, footage revealed members of the Frank Line continuing to live a lifestyle funded by drug sales.
Simmonds was sentenced for drug supply and assisting an offender. Following an 11-week trial, Martin, of Staffordshire Pool Close, Birmingham, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was jailed for 16 years for the firearm offense and a further nine years to run concurrently for attempted GBH. The judge classified Martin as a dangerous offender and imposed a life sentence, requiring him to serve a minimum of ten years and six months.
Brookes, of Ratcliffe Avenue, Birmingham, was found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He received a 14-year sentence. Simmonds, 26, of Club View, Birmingham, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and assisting an offender. He received a sentence of seven years and eight months.
In December last year, three other people were sentenced for their roles in the shooting and drug supply. Detective Chief Inspector Ben Arrowsmith commented: "It is important to remember the complete disregard Martin and Brookes showed when they discharged firearms without any thought for the potential danger of their actions and the devastation it could have caused. I would like to commend the team who worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice, and their work has exposed two drug lines that supplied drugs into Redditch. We know that organized gangs, like the Captain and Frank lines, target and exploit vulnerable people within our communities, and the sentencing today will help towards protecting those at risk."
