Man jailed for 12 years after firing handgun at man in Tyneside street

A man is beginning a prison sentence after he admitted firing a handgun at another man in a Newcastle street.

On the afternoon of October 16 last year, police received a report of a disturbance in the Headlam Green area of Byker.

Emergency services attended the scene and found a man aged in his 40s with injuries consistent with having been caused by a firearm.

The man was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries and was later discharged.

Following the incident, a full investigation was immediately launched by Northumbria Police and soon after, the prime suspect Stephen Thompson was arrested.

Investigations found that following an altercation between himself and his victim Thompson, 50, of Proctor Street in Newcastle, had drawn a black handgun while on Headlam Green before shooting the victim in his upper body as he walked away.

Shocked residents came to the aid of the victim and they quickly notified the emergency services who came to the scene.

Officers swiftly charged Thompson with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a bladed article and having a corrosive substance in a public place.

Thompson denied the attempted murder charge but pleaded guilty to the other offences, later pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, which was accepted by prosecutors, at a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court in January.

Following the hearing he was remanded in custody.

Thompson was back before the same court on Friday, where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. On his release he will be subject to a four-year extended licence period.

Following his sentencing, the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was understandably a concerning incident for those living in the Byker area and we would like to reassure residents that offences of this nature thankfully remain rare across all of the communities we serve. 

“When we received the report, our officers quickly launched a thorough investigation and were swiftly able to identify Stephen Thompson as the man responsible for discharging the firearm. We were then able to bring him into custody before interviewing and charging him.

“Seeing the weight of evidence against him, he pleaded guilty to several serious offences and has now rightly been jailed.

“Violence of any kind – including when it involves the use of firearms – is never acceptable and I hope that this case demonstrates how seriously we take reports of this nature.

“If you are aware of suspected criminal activity involving weapons of any kind in your area, please make us aware so that we can take the necessary action to prevent individuals from being seriously injured or even killed.”

To report suspicious activity, send police a direct message on social media, use the live chat function on the Northumbria Police website or go to https://www.northumbria.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

For those unable to contact police via those ways, call 101.

In an emergency situation, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.