Birmingham riots: Fifth person guilty in riot shooting trial

Police footage captured a man aiming a gun at the force helicopter

A fifth person has been convicted of firearms charges after police officers were shot at during last summer's riots in Birmingham.

A fire was started at the Bartons Arms pub in Aston before men blockaded the nearby A34 and fired at police.

Wayne Collins, 25, from Luton, was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court.

Three other men and a 17 year-old youth have already been found guilty and the jury is still considering verdicts in the cases of one more defendant.

Lured into confrontation

Collins was convicted by a ten to one majority of rioting, arson and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was cleared of the same charges.

The jury delivered verdicts on five people on Thursday.

Tyrone Laidley, 20, Nicholas Francis, 26, of Birmingham, and Renardo Farrell, 20, of Wolverhampton, were found guilty of reckless arson and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.

Joyah Campbell, 19, of Hanover Court, Aston, in Birmingham, was cleared of the same charges.

A 17-year-old boy was convicted of riot and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.

During a five week trial the court was told that police were lured into a confrontation with a mob who fired a total of twelve shots at officers on the ground and the force helicopter.

The jury will return to the court on Wednesday to consider its verdict on 27-year-old Jermaine Lewis, of Summerton Road in Oldbury.