Reward of £20k over 'mistaken identity' shooting

A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered by Crimestoppers for information about a third person involved in a mistaken identity shooting.

Three men travelled from Birmingham to Gloucester and shot a man outside of his home on 18 January during a confrontation in what police believed was a case of "mistaken identity."

The man has been left with extensive injuries which could lead to his leg having to be amputated.

Simeon Bernard, 39 and Darren Atkins, 42, were recently jailed for their part in the shooting - but police were still trying to identify a third person involved.

Bernard was sentenced to 16 years and two months in prison, and Atkins was jailed for 12 years and seven months at Bristol Crown Court.

Since the shooting, the victim has undergone numerous operations to remove the bullet and realign his leg, but still needed ongoing treatment.

During the sentencing, the victim read out a statement to court which said: "One of the worst parts of this experience is that it has robbed my ability to be close with my loved ones.

"I have not been able to share a bed with my wife since it happened. I have had to sleep on a makeshift bed downstairs in our house.

"I cannot play with my young daughter, go out on day trips or help out around the house.

"All of these things, these moments that made my life what it was, were stolen from me that night by these men."

Darren Atkins, 42, was one of the two men jailed for his part in the shooting

Crimestoppers said that after the shooting on Stanway Road in Gloucester, the three individuals travelled to Atkins' home in Birmingham on two motorbikes.

According to the charity, a local taxi was called and it is believed that the third suspect got in and was subsequently dropped at the junction of Churchill Road and Morris Avenue in Walsall.

Simeon Bernard was sentenced to 16 years and two months in prison

Crimestoppers, a charity independent of the police, is supporting the investigation by offering a reward of up to £20,000 for exclusive information which identifies the third suspect.

Beth Simpson, Gloucestershire regional manager at Crimestoppers, said:

"This is an alarming case where someone has been shot and seriously injured and this is why our charity has now become involved.

"We believe there are people who know who else was involved but who feel that going to the police is not an option.

"Coming forward is never easy, but if you contact Crimestoppers, you can still make a difference whilst remaining completely anonymous.

"You may also be eligible for a reward of up to £20,000 if your information leads to the conviction of the third individual involved."