Gang duo attacked homes with guns and petrol bombs

Taylor Ford and Joshua Wilson, who were teenagers at the time, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit arson to endanger life

Two gang members who attacked the homes of rivals with weapons, including a submachine gun and petrol bombs, have been detained for 14 years.

Taylor Ford and Joshua Wilson, now both 20, raided three properties across County Durham and Darlington in March 2024, striking at midnight when the occupants were asleep, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Judge Geoffrey Marson KC said the attacks over a 12-day period were "horrendous" and it was a "miracle" no-one was seriously injured or killed.

The pair, from Stockton, who were teenagers at the time, were found guilty of offences including conspiracy to commit arson and possess firearms with intent to endanger life.

'Gangland crime'

Wilson carried out all three raids while Ford was on two but missed the third in Darlington as he had shot himself in the foot, prosecutor Nick Dry said. A third unknown male was involved in all of them.

The attackers wore masks and gloves and used a pistol, 12-bore shotgun and Skorpion submachine gun to spray bullets indiscriminately through living room and kitchen windows, the court heard.

They also hurled petrol bombs before fleeing back to Stockton in stolen cars, which were later found burned out, the court heard.

Mr Dry said the attacks on houses in St Helen Auckland, Shildon and Darlington were part of a wave of "gangland crime".

He said they were "purposeful premediated and planned" and posed a "very high risk of serious harm".

High-speed pursuits

Ford, of St Anns Terrace, was also sentenced for threatening to have the home of a prison officer firebombed as part of an effort to get a move between wings in HMP Durham.

He also said he would arrange for associates to slash the woman's face while he would set fire to his cell to force a transfer, the court heard.

Mr Dry said it was "no idle threat", with prison officials recording conversations between Ford and siblings, including a brother in another prison, about the best way to start a blaze in his cell.

Wilson, of Cliffport Court, was also sentenced for two high-speed police pursuits in stolen vehicles, the latter involving a Mercedes taken from Newcastle, in which Ford was a passenger, and the car being driven the wrong down the A66 in Teesside.

'Dangerous offenders'

Judge Marson said the pair played a "full and enthusiastic part" in the crimes.

He said the duo did the "footwork" for other criminals but were nonetheless "fully involved".

He said the attacks on residential streets were "horrendous", adding: "It is a miracle no-one was seriously physically injured or worse."

They had maintained their denials despite "overwhelming evidence" and had shown no remorse, the judge added.

Both Ford and Wilson were deemed to be "dangerous" offenders and will have to serve a further four years on extended licence when released.

Ford, who also admitted aggravated vehicle taking, was banned from driving for 10 years and four months, and Wilson for 11 years and four months.

Speaking after the sentencing, a Durham Police spokeswoman said the pair had sought to "increase their criminal status through violence and intimidation" but they would now be "off the streets for a long time".

She said it should serve as a warning to "those glamorising gang culture".