Man facing firearm charges after police swoop
A man who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a double shooting and stabbing outside a Willenhall pub was due to appear at court today charged with a string of other offences.
Carl Hamilton, who is of no fixed abode but is originally from Wolverhampton, was taken into custody in the early hours of Monday after detectives raided an address in Granville Street in Birmingham city centre.
He was arrested early on Monday on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the violence outside the Worker's Rest six years ago but has now been bailed for that allegation while police make further inquiries.
However the 27-year-old remained in police custody this morning after being charged with two counts of possessing a firearm, two counts of possessing ammunition, two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and a single charge of possessing criminal property.
He was due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court today.
West Midlands Police spokesman Brigg Ford said the charges were believed to be unrelated to the incident in Willenhall.
Three men aged 19, 24 and 27 were injured during the disorder at the pub in Upper Lichfield Street on July 6, 2007.
Two men were jailed for the attack in 2008. Anthony Hamilton and Michael Straker were jailed for a total of 20 years. Fifty revellers were outside the pub at the time when Anthony
Hamilton opened fire after an argument with Jamie Price and Shaun Oakley.
The two men suffered only minor injuries but innocent bystander Daniel Jackson was left seriously injured after being shot in the neck while fleeing the onslaught.
An angry mob chased Anthony Hamilton down and once they caught him he was stabbed twice, punched and kicked and left with a fractured skull.
Anthony Hamilton, aged 20, of Hincks Road, Tettenhall, was given a 12 year sentence after pleading guilty to two attempted murders, GBH and possession of a firearm with intent.
Straker, also aged 20, of Perry Avenue, Low Hill, Wolverhampton, was jailed for eight years after being found guilty after a trial of three woundings and a possession of a firearm.
Judge Frank Chapman, sentencing them at Birmingham Crown Court, said it should act as a clear warning to anyone who uses guns.
The court had heard how pals Anthony Hamilton and Straker had gone to the pub with Anthony Hamilton's girlfriend. A row broke out between Jamie Price and Anthony Hamilton in the pub after Mr Price spoke to the girl. Anthony Hamilton was friends with a man Mr Price had been in a dispute with in the past.
The court heard how Straker then told Anthony Hamilton Mr Price had to be dealt with.
