Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
Two men have been sentenced to a total of more than 30 years in prison after a firearm was discharged during a row in a Stevenage pub on New Year’s Eve 2022.
Liam Campbell, aged 26, of Rockingham Way, Stevenage, and Charlie Kettle, aged 25, of Pembridge Gardens, Stevenage, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 16 February.
The pair were arrested in January 2023 after they were involved in an argument with two brothers in the Our Mutual Friend pub in the Broadwater area of the town. During the argument Campbell threw two glasses at the other men, one of which hit a woman causing an injury to her head.
The row later continued outside the pub where Campbell, encouraged by Kettle, then fired a re-configured firing pistol at the brothers before they both fled the scene.
At a previous court appearance on 5 July 2023, Cambell was found guilty of attempted murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition, and Kettle was convicted for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
At their most recent court appearance on Friday (16 February), Campbell was sentenced to 22 years in prison, and must serve a further two years and six months on licence. Kettle was sentenced to eight years and six months, and must serve a further 12 months on licence.
Detective Sergeant Kate Raine, from the Stevenage Local Crime Unit, said: “This was a challenging investigation, and it is testament to the dedication of my team that we were able to secure a conviction for attempted murder.
“These men had no regard for human life as they fired their crudely adapted firearm outside a busy pub, on what was one of the busiest nights of the year. The sentence they have received reflects the gravity of their actions and I hope will serve as a deterrent to others who think it is acceptable to own and use firearms in our town.”