A judge has issued a stark warning about the 'alarming prevalence' of firearms in Birmingham following a violent incident in the Frankley area that saw a young man shot in the arm.
Chaotic Night of Violence
The court heard how the events of April 21 began with a serious disturbance on Egghill Lane. Prosecutor Lucinda Wilmott-Lascelles described a scene involving a group of young males all wearing masks and balaclavas, arguing while carrying machetes.
Approximately 90 minutes later, at around 10pm, the situation escalated on Boleyn Road, near the junction with Jubilee Road. A convoy of cars, including an Audi, a Range Rover, and a Nissan, drove along the road. Louie Kaye, 20, was among a group of males on foot near a junction.
The Shooting and Aftermath
Ms Wilmott-Lascelles told the court that one of the males pointed an item towards the cars, prompting the vehicles to turn around and return. Almost simultaneously, Kaye fired a shot towards the vehicles, with a muzzle flash visible on CCTV. In response, two gunshots were fired from the vehicles towards the group on foot.
Kaye was immediately struck, putting his hands to his arm while still holding the gun and shouting, 'Oi he shot me man'. He was rushed to hospital, where he underwent surgery. Around 20 pellets were removed from his hands and arm, but some remained too deeply embedded to be extracted.
Sentencing and Systemic Concerns
At Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, November 10, Kaye, of Westcott Way, Pershore, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Judge Kerry Maylin expressed deep concern, stating, "Firearms in this city appear to have an alarming prevalence." While there was no evidence Kaye was present at the initial machete incident, the judge concluded he was 'clearly part of the retaliation'.
The court was told Kaye has nine previous offences, including a knifepoint robbery committed when he was 17. A pre-sentence report assessed him as having a 100 per cent chance of reoffending and posing a 'very high risk of serious harm' to the public.
In mitigation, defence barrister Arron Payne said Kaye, who has ADHD and is autistic, had left school at 13 and was exposed to domestic violence and alcoholism at home. The passing of his grandfather was cited as a catalyst for him reintegrating with 'negative peers'. Mr Payne added that Kaye had expressed remorse and a desire not to become a 'career criminal'.
