Man found guilty over car park shooting

Leon Haughton was arrested by armed officers after shooting a man

A man has been found guilty of attempted murder after shooting another man at point blank range in a car park in Dudley.

Leon Haughton, 34, of West Green, Wolverhampton, shot a man, aged in his 20s, at about 01:20 BST on 6 April before fleeing the scene in his car.

A police investigation was launched after the victim arrived at hospital with a gunshot wound shortly afterwards.

Haughton was found guilty of attempted murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 10 October, having already admitted possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm.

Police said Haughton had been arrested by armed officers eight days after the shooting, and a shortened, loaded shotgun was found in the boot of his car along with 11 cartridges.

Police added that the weapon had been stolen in a burglary last year.

The gun was found in the boot of Haughton's car

Detectives later found Haughton had fitted GPS trackers to his victim's car before the attack.

Det Insp Francis Nock, who led the investigation, said it was a "targeted attack by Haughton which could have resulted in his victim's death".

"It's by sheer luck the victim didn't receive any more serious injuries," he added.

The date for Haughton's sentencing is yet to be fixed.