Man jailed over remote village shooting

Michael Watling was jailed for nine years and nine months at Lincoln Crown Court

A man who was part of a group which carried out a shooting in a remote Lincolnshire village has been jailed for nine years and nine months.

Michael Watling, 37, admitted being in close proximity to a gunman who shot another man at a property on Thorpe Bank, Little Steeping at around 01:00 BST on 25 May.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the victim of the shooting, a man in his 30s, suffered a serious injury to his leg after he was shot with a shotgun.

Watling, of Guard House Avenue, Keighley, faced an offence of attempted murder but the charge was dropped after he pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Lincoln Crown Court heard a warning shot had been fired through the front door of the property before the victim, who was visiting his brother, went outside to investigate.

When he went outside the property, the drive the victim saw a man who was grinning and carrying a shotgun, the court was told.

The victim turned to run away but was shot in the leg. More than 90 pellets were later recovered from his body.

The court was told the victim had nothing to do with the disagreement and was simply "in the wrong place at wrong time".

Watling did not pull the trigger of the weapon but, forensic tests on the jacket he was wearing, showed he was close by at the time.

'Defenceless'

The victim, who was present in court, had undergone extensive surgery and described being "fed up" with his medical issues and said he wanted his life to return to normal.

Passing sentence, Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Watling: "Their nights' fun was shattered by you and your associates who went to the property with a firearm.

"As he lay there defenceless he was sure he was going to be killed."

Following the sentencing, Lincolnshire Police said, to date, no other individuals have been charged in relation to the shooting.

Det Supt Richard Myszczyszyn said: "The sentencing sends a clear message that violent crimes, especially those involving firearms, will not be tolerated.

"The meticulous investigation and subsequent conviction highlight our commitment to ensuring justice for victims and making Lincolnshire the safest place to live, work, and visit."

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