Gun gang jailed over shoot-out

Four gunmen were locked up today for a terrifying city centre shoot-out. Judge Frank Chapman today called the thugs "third-rate urban cowboys".

He warned there was no place for gangland culture in Wolverhampton.

Gary Williams, aged 26, was jailed indefinitely at Birmingham Crown Court and was told he would serve a minimum of seven years.

He sparked the afternoon of violence in June last year when he tried to shoot Isaac Frazer, 25, on a pathway near the Wulfrun Centre.

In a revenge attack minutes later, Frazer found Williams in Temple Street and shot at him.

Frazer was also given an indeterminate sentence which means he will be released when considered no longer a danger to society. He must serve at least five years.

Jamie Wint, 22, and Craig Stubbs, 22, who were used as reinforcements for Frazer, were jailed for seven and eight years respectively.

All four were found guilty at a trial in May. A jury found them guilty of firearms and violence offences.

Jailing them, Judge Frank Chapman said: "Guns have no place in Wolverhampton and will not be tolerated."

"This all happened on a summer afternoon within 100 yards of the main shopping area."

Judge Chapman added: "This is not the Wild West. These were second-rate weapons carried by third-rate urban cowboys."

He said many gunmen believed carrying weapons would earn them respect but that most people in Wolverhampton would give them nothing but contempt.

"You have no right to impose the fear of violence on the people of this city."

He added: "When you behave like this, you are not fit to live with the rest of us and you will have to be locked up."

Carl Wiley, who was found guilty of stabbing Jamie Wint during the brawl, will be sentenced at a later date.