Judge warns armed drug gangs in Sheffield they will be "severely punished" after drive-by shooting of boy

Sheffield Crown Court heard how gangster Stephen Dunford, aged 25, of Fellbrigg Road, Sheffield, was found guilty of attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life following the drive-by shooting of a 12-year-old boy on Northern Avenue, Arbourthorne, Sheffield, in January, from a passing Ford Focus.

Dunford was sentenced today, October 7, after a trial to life imprisonment and must serve at least 19 years before he can be considered for release.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said: “Those who use guns to perpetrate gang-related drug crime will be punished severely when they are brought to justice.

"An innocent 12-year-old boy was injured by gunfire in this case whilst standing with a group of friends outside a sandwich shop in a residential part of Sheffield. That boy was the victim of a drive-by shooting.”

He added: “Those who participate in this form of criminality, in whatever way, must expect and will receive severe sentences.

"The streets of this city, nor any other city in this country, must not be allowed to become the venue of gangland violence for guns.”

The court heard the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had not been Dunford’s intended target.

Dunford was also found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life after a shooting incident on Northcote Avenue, Sheffield, on January 10.

He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving from November involving a stolen white Ford Focus.

Judge Richardson told Dunford: “It’s as plain as plain could be you have engendered immense fear on a whole section of Sheffield and have made the lives of decent citizens, bordering if not passing into, a living nightmare.”

Stephen Wood, prosecuting, said police also found a gun with DNA traces of defendant, Brandon Bailey, aged 26, of Manor Park Way, Sheffield, but it is not claimed he was in the car during the shooting.

However, he was found guilty of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Police also recovered £19,970 from Bailey’s home, according to Mr Wood, and he pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property.

Bailey was sentenced to ten years and six months of custody.

The court heard Dunford endured a deplorable upbringing but Bailey’s life is not without hope.

A third defendant Devon Gregory, aged 23, of Heeley Green, Sheffield, was acquitted after he was found not guilty of attempted murder, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiring to endanger life.

Judge Richardson said Dunford and Bailey, who have previous convictions, were involved in criminal gang activity between Heeley and Arbourthorne and were connected with drug-dealing and firearms.

He added Dunford had a senior role but Bailey had a lesser role taking care of cash and providing a hiding place for guns for those involved with drug-dealing.

Judge Richardson told Dunford: “You have an easy way with guns. You are a man who is clearly willing to use a gun whenever you feel the need to do so.

"I am convinced you are a hardened and dangerous criminal.”

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