A 15-year-old schoolboy who should be busy preparing for his GCSEs can still feel the bullet in his back after being shot in a vicious case of mistaken identity. He was riding on the back of an electric bike in George Street Park, Balsall Heath, when he was blasted shortly before 10pm on August 2 last year.
Revenge attack gone wrong
Gunman Lamar Anderson, aged 22, along with accomplices Jeheim Wilson, 25, and Kaine Dowe, 24, had gone out seeking revenge following a fight outside some nearby shops around half an hour earlier. The boy they ultimately targeted had not been involved in that incident.
Sentencing proceedings got underway at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) after the three men had confessed to various offences. Prosecutor Jacinta Stringer confirmed the boy was taken to hospital by a friend at 10.20pm on the night he was shot.
Bullet remains in boy's back
Ms Stringer said: "It was clear he had been shot and sustained a bullet wound to the back. This still remains within him. Removal of that bullet would require such a major procedure it would require a risk of further damage to his back. And such doctors have decided it is not appropriate."
The boy suffered fractures to his spine and a wound to one of his lungs. Summarising victim impact statements from the victim and his mother, Ms Stringer told the court the boy now struggled to sit or walk. She stated he had been left in severe pain and was heavily dependent on pain relief medication which has had side effects of its own.
Daily life affected
The prosecutor continued, saying the boy required assistance with everyday tasks such as putting on his shoes. Ms Stringer said: "His mental health has significantly deteriorated since the shooting. He is often seen crying. He suffers nightmares and flashbacks. He wakes up in the middle of the night sweating and screaming. He's terrified of leaving the house and refuses to go out alone."
His education has been severely affected. Before the shooting he was preparing for his GCSEs and had good grades. After he had to return on a limited and reduced timetable, in doing so he was unable to cope because of the ongoing pain, anxiety and fears.
Turning to the boy's own statement specifically the prosecutor added: "He is unable to bend his body properly because of severe pain and he can feel where the bullet remains inside him. That is not just a physical result of this firearm discharge and assault but also a constant reminder."
Defendants and sentencing
Anderson, of Heeley Road, Selly Oak, has pleaded guilty to affray, wounding with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Wilson, of Lapworth Grove, Balsall Heath, and Dowe, of Belvedere Road, Erdington admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Judge Heidi Kubik is due to pass sentence later today (Friday). Elyas Kaid, aged 23, of Ferncliffe Road, Harborne pleaded guilty to affray in connection with his involvement in the earlier disorder which led to the revenge shooting. He was sentenced to 10 months in February.
