Stevenage man found guilty of attempted murder

A Stevenage man has been found guilty of attempted murder following a shooting in the town on New Year’s Eve last year.

Liam Campbell, aged 25 and from Rockingham Way, and Charlie Kettle, aged 25, of Pembridge Gardens, had been on trial at St Alban’s Crown Court since Monday 26 June, in connection with an incident at the Our Mutual Friend pub in Broadwater Crescent.

Yesterday (Tuesday 4 July) the jury found Campbell guilty of attempted murder, and he also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition, and ABH.

Kettle was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Both men will be sentenced on 8 September at St Albans Crown Court.

On Saturday 31 December 2022, Kettle and Campbell had been drinking inside Our Mutual Friend pub, when they became involved in an altercation with two men and a woman and Campbell threw a glass which hit the woman.

A short time later another altercation took place outside the pub between Kettle, Campbell and the two men, and Campbell was seen firing a gun at the men twice, before fleeing the scene with Kettle.

In the subsequent hours, officers executed numerous warrants at addresses across Stevenage. Following further warrants in the East of England, Kettle was arrested at an address in Suffolk and Campbell at an address in Welwyn Garden City. Both were subsequently charged and remanded.

Drugs and drug paraphernalia were also seized along with laptops and mobile phones. These now form part of an ongoing investigation into gang and drug related crime in Stevenage.

Officer in charge of the case, DC Chris Jones said: “We will not tolerate the carrying and use of unlicensed firearms in this town. Luckily no one was injured as a result of this incident, but there was a clear intent to cause harm and in a public place on one of the busiest times of the year, where local residents were celebrating New Year’s Eve.

“I hope this sends a very clear message to those whose lifestyle involves the carrying and use of weapons, that you are not welcome in Stevenage, and we will do everything we can to make sure we keep you off our streets.”

Detective Inspector Nick Rega said: “This was an excellent result following a very challenging investigation and a testament to the hard work of the officers involved that we were able to secure an attempted murder conviction, along with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and other offences.”