Sheffield gangster spends first night of life sentence behind bars after shooting a child

Stephen Dunford, aged 26, may already have spent 261 days in custody since his arrest, but he woke up today knowing he has to spend the next 19 years behind bars before he can be considered for parole after he was jailed for life yesterday and given a minimum tariff he must serve.

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The gang member opened fire from the front passenger seat of a car in a drive-by shooting on Northern Avenue, Arbourthorne, in January.

He was looking for a rival gang members and opened fire indiscriminately – hitting a 12-year old boy in his thigh and missing another youngster’s head and neck by centimetres.

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Dunford, of Fellbrigg Road, Arbourthorne, was jailed for attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He was sentenced for possession of firearm with intent to endanger life over a shooting on Northcote Avenue, Heeley, two days earlier.

The senior detective who led the case described it as one of the most complex investigations of his career.

Detective Chief Inspector Jade Brice said thousands of hours of CCTV footage was recovered and examined by a specialist team of officers.

Detective Supt Martin Tate said: “Detectives have worked tirelessly on this case to bring these offenders to justice. “Armed crime is one our top priorities.”

Barrister Stephen Wood also praised the officers involved.

“The investigating team all deserved the Judge's praise and commendation. An exceptional team did an exceptional job,” he said.

Sheffield MP Louise Haigh added: “This crime has had a profound impact on the victim, his family and our entire community.

“I commend South Yorkshire Police and all those who helped bring him (Dunford) and others to justice.”

In a statement issued after yesterday’s sentencing hearing, South Yorkshire Police said: “Detectives want this sentence to be a warning to those involved in armed criminality in South Yorkshire

“If you have information about violent crime, you could help investigations like this one, report it.”

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, who sentenced Dunford, described him as posing ‘immense danger’ to the public.

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