Men jailed after pub shooting

Two men involved in a shooting outside a Willenhall pub which injured three men were today jailed for a total of 20 years. Anthony Hamilton pleaded guilty to two attempted murders.

Hamilton, aged 20, of Hincks Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, also admitted grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Michael Straker, also 20, of Perry Avenue, Low Hill, Wolverhampton, was found guilty after a trial of three woundings and a possession of a firearm, he was jailed for eight years.

The charges relate to a shooting outside The Worker's Rest pub in Willenhall last July.

Hamilton had already pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Jamie Price and Shaun Oakley and to attacking Daniel Jackson.

The court heard how pals Hamilton and Straker had gone to the pub with Hamilton's girlfriend. A row broke out between Jamie Price and Hamilton in the pub after Mr Price spoke to the girl. Hamilton was friends with a man Mr Price had been in a dispute with in the past.

The court heard how Straker then told Hamilton Price had to be dealt with. The men left the pub and picked up a self-loading pistol with Hamilton claiming "I'm going to smoke them." The men returned to the pub and Hamilton fired five bullets hitting Mr Price and Mr Oakley.