Four people have denied conspiring to commit murder after two drive-by shootings in Sheffield

A Sheffield Crown Court trial heard on January 8 how Joshua Mottershead, Niki Haycock, Demi Dunford and Molly Mayer have all denied conspiring to murder Ryan Ducker following two drive-by shootings near Arbourthorne, in Sheffield.

The accused allegedly targeted the wrong properties after a shooting was reported at a home on Errington Avenue about 9.30pm, on June 30, and from another home on Aylward Road about twenty minutes later.

Stephen Wood QC, prosecuting, said a man had been at home with his wife and son at Errington Avenue and the occupant of Aylward Road had been with her daughter and her sister and her sister’s two children including a baby.

Mr Wood added: “The prosecution suggest this case is all about guns and gangs. This is a case about a drive-by shooting at two residential properties here in the city of Sheffield.

"Whilst the prosecution say the gunmen were Mottershead and Haycock we also say the two females played a significant role in the lead-up to these shootings and a significant role in the aftermath of the shootings.

"In the case of Molly Mayer, setting up a false alibi for her partner Haycock, and in the case of Dunford being party to setting fire to the car used in the shooting.”

Mr Wood claimed the intended target had been Ryan Ducker but the occupant of the Errington Avenue property had done a house-swap with his daughter who was the partner of Mr Ducker and they lived on the opposite side of the road.

Mr Wood said the Errington Avenue property was shot at four times through the living room window and during the incident at Aylward Road four bullets hit the rear wall and one went into the kitchen.

Mr Wood added CCTV captured a Vauxhall Astra at both addresses and the sound of four shots and then six.

Further footage showed a car pulling up near Park Spring Drive, Sheffield, before two males ran off, and later footage showed two people arriving in the same area when the vehicle erupted in flames.

Mr Mottershead initially claimed he had been at home but said there had been a feud between relatives and Ryan Ducker.

Mr Haycock claimed he had been with his girlfriend Molly Mayer at her home.

However, Mr Wood said Mr Mottershead now accepts he was the car passenger who discharged a gun at both houses but claims his motivation was to cause fear.

Mr Wood also claimed Miss Dunford had been travelling by taxi just after the shootings while communicating by phone with Mr Mottershead before she allegedly met a man called Jason Brough and the Astra was set alight.

Mr Mottershead, aged 21, of St Aidan’s Avenue, Sheffield, Mr Haycock, aged 22, of Ironside Close, Sheffield, Miss Dunford, aged 24, of Derby Street, Sheffield, and Miss Mayer, aged 21, of Callow Drive, Sheffield, have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to commit murder and not guilty to conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Miss Dunford has pleaded not guilty to arson concerning the Vauxhall Astra, but Jason Brough, aged 50, of Cambridge Lodge, Kent Road, Heeley, Sheffield, has pleaded guilty to arson.

The trial continues.

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