Sheffield youngsters had ‘met up to go to cinema’ when they were shot at by Stephen Dunford

Gang member Stephen Dunford, aged 26, shot at children stood on a street in Arbourthorne while looking for a rival.

He shot one young boy in his thigh and a bullet missed another child’s head and neck by a matter of centimetres.

CRIME: Arbourthorne shooting: Gunman described as ‘highly dangerous individual’

Dunford, of Fellbrigg Road, Arbourthorne, was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars and was warned that he would have received a whole life tariff had any of the children died.

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

The youngsters had met up to go to the cinema that afternoon and were not the intended targets.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, described Dunford as having told a ‘lava-flow of lies’ and said he had a life which was ‘replete for irredeemable criminality’.

He said Dunford posed ‘immense danger’ to the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Jade Brice, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “No child should have to feel such terror and no parent should find their child seriously injured on the doorstep of their home. I would like to commend the whole family for their bravery, they have co-operated fully and willingly with us.”

Dunford was found guilty of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life over the Arbourthorne shooting.

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

Brandon Bailey, 26, of Manor Park Way, Manor Park, was jailed for 10-and-a-half years today after being found guilty of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.

His DNA was found on a firearm recovered by officers although he was not said to have been in the car on the night of the drive-by.

DCI Brice added: “This was a shocking event to happen on the streets of a regular Sheffield suburb, where families live, where hard-working people live.

“They should not have to put up with this type of criminality. I hope they share some relief that this man is behind bars and will be for a considerable amount of time.”

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