Three men jailed after man shot in leg

Three men have been jailed for a collective 19 years for their involvement in a shooting that left a man with a shattered leg in Stoke-on-Trent last year.

Stephen Thorogood, 45, Jesse Dyche, 27, and Ethan Beech, 19, all from Stoke-on-Trent, were involved when the victim was attacked on Dawlish Drive last August.

Extensive CCTV enquiries showed the trio driving around in a Ford Focus. The went to a nearby street where they can be seen changing into all black clothing before using a second car – a stolen Vauxhall Insignia – to travel to the location where the attack took place.

The victim was shot in the leg in the street. Thorogood and Dyche were on foot when it happened, with Beech waiting in the car nearby.

They drove off in the Vauxhall, abandoned it and left in the Ford Focus.

(Stephen Thorogood (left) and Jesse Dyche (right))

We started work to track down the people responsible. Firearms officers stopped Dyche within a day of the incident happening, travelling in the same Ford Focus in the North Wales area – finding a hammer, a crowbar, balaclava and a baseball bat inside, as well as passports and £2,200 in cash.

As detectives investigated, we started to link Thorogood and Beech to the incident, later arresting and charging all three with a number of offences.

The victim suffered a fracture of his lower leg bones that needed surgery. He has since been discharged from hospital.

Despite extensive searches, the firearm was never recovered.

At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court today (Friday 14 June), the trio were sentenced for their involvement in the attack:

• Thorogood was jailed for nine years after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
• Dyche was also given a nine-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to the same offences
• Beech was handed a 20-month sentence after admitting assisting an offender

Detective Constable Adam Coomer, who investigated the incident, said: “This investigation succeeded because the local community declared – through dozens of acts of help and support to the investigating team – that they were simply not willing to share their streets with crime and violence.

“It’s a great example of what local communities and local policing can achieve together, and we are grateful to everyone who helped us – as many will not appreciate how significant their contributions were.”

Detective Inspector Nathan Hough, from our Criminal Investigations Department (CID), was the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) in the case. He said: “I hope this sends a clear message that we will take robust, prompt action against those who think it’s acceptable to commit acts of serious violence on our streets. The use of firearms by criminals across Staffordshire will not be tolerated.

“We have a range of tactics at our disposal to proactively protect our communities from the criminals who think they can get away with these sorts of crimes.

“I would like to thank the local community for their valued assistance and support during this investigation.”

Anyone who is concerned about violence or weapons should call us on 101 or contact Live Chat on our website. If you wish to remain anonymous, call the charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.