Shocking moment balaclava-clad gunmen corner victim in an alleyway before shooting him in the face
- Video shows armed Joshua Giles, 21, and Levi McCandlish, 27, target their victim
- The victim, in his 20s, leapt over a garden fence but could not escape the thugs
- They have been sentenced for a total of almost 30 years in jail for the shooting
The is the shocking moment balaclava-clad gunmen corner a victim in an alleyway before shooting him in the face.
The chilling video shows armed thugs Joshua Giles, 21, and Levi McCandlish, 27, target their victim with an improvised firearm, known as a ‘slam gun’.
The victim, in his 20s, leapt over a garden fence but could not escape the thugs, who blasted him in the face from close range with the weapon.
The pair have been sentenced for a total of almost 30 years in prison for shooting the victim.
Shocking footage shows the moment balaclava-clad gunmen corner a victim in an alleyway before shooting him in the face
The chilling video shows armed thugs Joshua Giles (right), 21, and Levi McCandlish (left), 27, target their victim with an improvised firearm, known as a ‘slam gun’
Police were called to an alleyway in Morecambe, Lancashire, at around 5.55pm on November 15, 2021, after of a reports of a suspected firearms discharge.
Emergency services found the victim and took him to hospital where he received treatment for life-changing facial injuries.
Police launched an investigation and recovered the shocking CCTV footage from the scene.
Officers also found a driving compression wad at the scene and further enquiries revealed a people carrier type car had been in the area earlier in the day before returning.
A grey Renault Espace had been sold five days earlier to a relative of McCandlish and a day after the shooting the vehicle was found in Lancaster.
Inside the car officers found a face covering as well as receipts and tags for balaclavas, gloves and face coverings.
Enquiries showed that these items had been bought from a store in Morecambe less than half a mile from where the shooting took place.
The victim, in his 20s, leapt over a garden fence but could not escape the thugs, who blasted him in the face from close range with the weapon
Police were called to an alleyway in Morecambe, Lancashire, at around 5.55pm on November 15, 2021, after of a reports of a suspected firearms discharge
CCTV from November 15 showed McCandlish and Giles in the shop purchasing balaclavas and a crowbar.
A number of people were later arrested by police in connection with the shooting.
McCandlish, of Swinton, Greater Manchester and Giles, of Morecambe, Lancashire, were both charged with attempted murder.
A 13-year-old boy was charged with wounding and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life but was later dismissed.
Giles and McCandlish pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to Section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
McCandlish was jailed for 15 years and eight months, with a five-year extended licence.
Giles was handed 13 years and six months prison sentence, with a five-year extended licence.
Detective chief inspector James Edmonds said: ‘This was an absolutely horrific attack which left the local community shocked and appalled.
‘It is remarkable the victim was not killed as a consequence of this incident.
Emergency services found the victim and took him to hospital where he received treatment for life-changing facial injuries
Police launched an investigation and recovered the shocking CCTV footage from the scene
CCTV from November 15 showed McCandlish and Giles in the shop purchasing balaclavas and a crowbar
‘As part of a premeditated plan, Giles and McCandlish attacked the man with a “slam gun”, an improvised firearm.
‘The pair used ammunition similar to cartridges from a shotgun, discharging the gun at close range.
‘The victim was left with serious facial injuries and had to be placed in a medically induced coma as part of his treatment.
‘Following enquiries, detectives quickly uncovered the plot to harm the victim, studying vehicle movements, CCTV, telephoney and purchases from a store.
‘After the weight of evidence was put to McCandlish and Giles, they entered guilty pleas and we welcome the sentences handed down at court. Their actions were deliberate and callous.
‘The motivation for the attack has never been fully understood and neither McCandlish or Giles have offered any explanation as to why they attacked the victim.
‘He suffered serious facial injuries and is continuing his recovery.
‘It is clear the two adults paid no thought to the consequences of their actions and the impact this would also have on the 13-year-old boy they had brought along.
‘Gun crime makes up a very small percentage of all crimes committed in Lancashire, but I hope this investigation shows anyone wishing to commit such offences will be dealt with quickly, robustly and should expect a significant prison sentence.’
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