A hired gunman who travelled from Birmingham to carry out a shooting and arson attack on a family home in Teesside has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Dangerous Attack on Residential Street
Joseph Gray, aged 43, carried out the offences in the early hours of May 15 last year. The court heard how Gray targeted a detached property on Collingham Drive in Nunthorpe, firing multiple shots at the house. He also set fire to a car, understood to be a BMW, which was parked on the driveway.
Miraculously, no one was injured during the terrifying incident. After carrying out the attack, Gray returned to Birmingham. However, his escape was far from seamless.
CCTV Footage Leads to Swift Arrest
Key to his capture was CCTV footage from a Thirsk service station, captured just 40 minutes after the attack. The footage clearly showed a suspect wearing the same clothing and driving the same vehicle linked to the crime scene.
This crucial evidence allowed police to identify and swiftly arrest Gray. He was subsequently charged with arson with intent to endanger life and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
"Complete Disregard for Safety" Says Detective
Appearing at Teeside Crown Court on Monday, January 12, Gray admitted both offences. He claimed to have been hired to carry out the attack. Passing sentence, the judge jailed him for six years.
Detective Chief Inspector David Glass, commenting on the case, condemned Gray's actions. "The fact that Gray fired multiple shots at a property and set a vehicle alight shows a complete disregard for the law and for the safety of others," he said.
"This was extremely dangerous behaviour and something we absolutely will not tolerate in our communities. I’m pleased that he has been sentenced to a significant time in prison."
Photographs from the scene revealed the extent of the damage, showing the burnt-out shell of the vehicle and multiple windows shattered by gunfire. A police cordon remained around the large home for some time as investigations continued.
One neighbour, speaking to local media at the time, recounted the shock of hearing the gunfire, initially mistaking it for the sound of poachers.
