Dudley shooting investigation teams praised for taking Wolverhampton gunman off the streets
Detectives took a gunman off the streets with the help of closed circuit television footage and checks of mobile phone activity.
Wolverhampton's Leon Haughton, aged 34, was jailed for 32 years for shooting at a rival with a shotgun in Merryfield Road, Dudley, on April 6.
He was captured after detectives used several different teams of officers including neighbourhood police to work on the investigation as part of the force's Operation Target.
The victim survived the planned attack after Haughton used a tracking system to find out where he was.
West Midlands Police's Major Crime Team's, Det Insp Francis Nock, said: “This was a targeted, pre-planned attack by Haughton and it’s only down to sheer luck the victim wasn’t killed.
“This has been an incredibly in-depth investigation right from the very start with different teams from across the force working to piece together exactly what happened.
“We analysed a large amount of CCTV footage as well as mobile data and were able to unearth just how much research Haughton had done into his victim.
“We were able to trace his movements leading up to the day of the attack and his movements after. I want to thank everyone involved for their time in helping get Haughton behind bars.
“I hope this sentence sends a message to others thinking they can get away with using guns in our community, that they’ve got no place on our streets and we’ll always work tirelessly as we’ve shown here to get justice and put them before the courts.”
The 34-year-old, of West Green, Penn, was found guilty of attempted murder after a trial in October at Wolverhampton Crown Court and was also sentenced for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm.
Operation Target was set up to identify, disrupt and arrest those involved in serious and organised crime.
Investigators work alongside neighbourhood officers to build a clear picture of those involved in guns, drugs, money laundering and exploitation.
