Two brothers have been put behind bars for a complete of 40 years after they ambushed and fired a gun at males who tried to steal their motorbikes in an ’extraordinarily reckless’ assault.
Christopher Nourse, 45, and his 42-year-old brother Colin, have been spending a night collectively at Colin’s home after they observed a gaggle of males outdoors, lurking close to their bikes in a bid to steal them.
They have been finally disturbed by a resident and fled empty-handed.
Nonetheless, when two of them returned later that very same night, the brothers have been mendacity in wait armed with weapons.
Christopher Nourse opened hearth, capturing one of many males within the arm and forcing them to flee.
Christopher Nourse was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment on Wednesday, whereas his brother Colin was slapped with a 14-year-sentence.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Moss, of the Kent and Essex Critical Crime Directorate, mentioned: ’These two males determined to arm themselves with firearms after anyone sought to steal their bikes.
Christopher Nourse, 45 (proper), and his 42-year-old brother Colin (left)
Colin Nourse (left) was given 14 years behind bars while Christopher (proper) was given 30 years
Christopher Nourse, pictured with a pair of bikes, opened hearth, capturing one of many males within the arm and forcing them to flee
’This was extraordinarily reckless and, when considered one of them discharged his weapon in a residential space, it is just by likelihood {that a} member of the general public unconnected with the incident didn’t endure a deadly damage.’
The incident happened March 8 2020, in a communal automobile park on Cooper Shut in Greenhithe, Kent.
In the course of the night, a gaggle of individuals have been seen attempting to steal some bikes earlier than fleeing empty handed after they have been disturbed by a resident.
Nonetheless, when two of them returned to the scene, the bikes’ house owners, Christopher and Colin Nourse, have been ready.
The brothers had armed themselves with weapons and Christopher Nourse shot on the two males who ran away from the shut.
The brothers then left in separate automobiles and travelled to Christopher Nourse’s dwelling in London.
Residents who had heard the sound of the gunshots referred to as the police and patrols went to Cooper Shut.
Officers have been additionally alerted when a person with bullet accidents to his arm arrived at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent.
An investigation was launched and officers recovered six 9mm calibre and 9 0.4 inch calibre ammunition casings on the scene. Two automobiles within the automobile park had additionally been broken by the pictures.
Residents who had heard the sound of the gunshots referred to as the police (Pictured: Colin Nourse)
A search of Colin Nourse’s (pictured) home in Cooper Shut led to the seizure of firearms equipment
The motorbike driving brothers have been jailed for a complete of 40 years for his or her crimes
When the brothers returned to Greenhithe whereas officers have been nonetheless finishing their inquiries, they have been arrested.
A search of Christopher Nourse’s deal with in Penge, London, and of Colin Nourse’s home in Cooper Shut, led to the seizure of firearms equipment.
As well as, a spent 0.4 inch calibre cartridge, a lock knife, and a Taser have been recovered from the 2 vehicles the brothers had used after the incident.
Forensic examination of the automobiles positioned gunshot residue and a spent ammunition casing which had traces of Colin Nourse’s DNA on it.
Detectives later recovered a handgun used within the capturing which had been discarded underneath a automobile in Penge.
Moreover, CCTV footage from Cooper Shut was examined by detectives and confirmed the brothers exiting Colin Nourse’s deal with instantly earlier than the pictures have been fired.
The brothers have been additionally forensically related to bullet casings recovered on the scene.
Each males have been charged with tried homicide on March 12, 2020.
They pleaded not responsible at Maidstone Crown Court docket and on Thursday 28 July 2022, Christopher Nourse was convicted of tried homicide and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Investigators taped off the scene in Cooper Shut, Greenhithe
Whereas Colin Nourse was cleared of tried homicide, he was convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to hazard life.
Each males have been sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court docket on Wednesday.
Christopher Nourse was jailed for a complete of 30 years’ imprisonment and his brother Colin was jailed for 14 years.
Each males should serve two thirds of their jail phrases earlier than they’re eligible for parole, after which they are going to be required to finish an additional 4 years on licence.