Sheffield community living in fear of being caught in the crossfire of drug gangs

Stephen Dunford shot the boy in the left thigh from a passing Ford Focus and another bullet passed through the hooded-top of a boy standing beside him, on Northern Avenue, Arbourthorne, on January 12.

He denied attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, but was found guilty following a six-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Two days earlier he opened fire at least five times at a motorcycle rider while pedestrians were present, on Northcote Avenue, prosecutor Stephen Wood QC told the court today.

Almost 100 residents from Arbourthorne and Heeley spoke of their fear of reprisals if they contacted police, at a public meeting in January.

MP Louise Haigh said "there has been a significant amount of unease because of the seemingly random nature" of the shooting that happened at 3.30pm in broad daylight.

She said residents no longer wanted to let their children play outside and there had been a surge in council applications for rehousing.

"The attack has literally driven people out of their homes,” she said, adding “sustained support and intervention were required to deal with the aftermath”.

"One resident said she kept her children away from the windows in case of stray bullets," a police officer said in a statement.

The incidents have "left the community in fear of being caught in the crossfire," he said.

Enhanced patrol strategies have been introduced to reassure residents, Mr Wood said, but South Yorkshire police admitted the community's “well-being and cohesion” has been impacted.

The court heard Dunford shot and seriously injured a 29-year-old man, when he was 17.

And he brandished a bottle at two men while he was high on intoxicating gas, following a road rage incident last November.

You can read how the Star’s coverage of how Dunford bragged about the shooting in a rap, the effects suffered by his 12-year-old victim, what Dunford told the court during his trial, and how the jury reached their verdict.

Dunford, 26, who has been warned to expect a life sentence, will be sentenced on Wednesday, October 7.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.