Two teenagers have been sentenced to over 10 years in prison for attempting to shoot a man in a busy shopping centre in Nottingham. Romarni Spencer and Pharrell McLennon, both 18, fired their revolvers at their target in broad daylight at the Bridgeway Centre, causing panic among shoppers. The court heard that the pair attempted to flee the country to Spain after the attack, booking flights from East Midlands Airport. They were arrested at the airport before they could leave.
Terrified shoppers fled a store in The Meadows when two teenagers shot at a man. Nottingham Crown Court heard how Romarni Spencer and Pharrell McLennon tried to escape to Spain after the attack, booking Jet2 tickets from East Midlands airport to Alicante the day after they fired their weapons at their target at the Bridgeway Centre. Dramatic footage showed the masked duo, then both 17, aim their revolvers at the man and fire twice as shoppers fled back into a store in blind panic.
Sentencing the pair, Judge James Sampson said: 'In broad daylight, in the middle of the day, at a busy shopping centre, you tried to shoot your intended target, both firing in quick succession. You missed your intended target. “Emerging from this store, as events were unfolding, was a family who quickly retreated to take cover, no doubt terrified about what was unfolding. As the Lord Chief Justice said in a case in 2009, 'the gravity of gun crime cannot be exaggerated. Guns kill, maim, terrorise and intimidate'.' Richard Thatcher, prosecuting, said the incident took place on the afternoon of May 5, last year. He said the motive for the shooting may never fully be known although drug supply is suspected to be involved. The prosecutor said Spencer and McLennon, now both 18, arrived at the scene and were initially “part of a larger group” but splintered off, one of them in a motorbike and headed towards their suspected target who had arrived on a bike by the Co-op close to the Poets Corner pub. Mr Thatcher said: “There was a confrontation between Spencer and (the target) which quickly attracted McLennan’s involvement. “Spencer walked back, seemingly put on gloves and reached for his waistband. McLennon, still on the motorbike, raised his left arm and pointed the revolver at (the target) who appeared to be little more than 10ft away. “Spencer raised his weapon, pulled back the slide on the firearm and released it. Two seconds after that, McLennon discharged his revolver at (the target) who ducks. “Witnesses heard two gunshots and three women and a child came out of the Co-op as the first firearm was discharged. They then ran back into the Co-op out of harm’s way.” Mr Thatcher said Spencer got onto the motorbike McLennon was riding, the intended target got on to his bike, another shot was aimed at the man and all of the parties left the scene. He said the following evening, tickets were booked for the pair to fly to Alicante from East Midland Airport. The prosecutor said the police arrived at the airport at 4am and they were arrested at 5.18am. He said: 'Between the two they had a single suitcase with minimal contents. A separate bag contained passports of both of the defendants. This was a clear and obvious attempt to flee the country and avoid the consequences of their actions.' Spencer, of Marlborough Road, Beeston and McLennon, of Maypole, Clifton, both pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Dominic Shelley, his barrister, said his client has no previous convictions. He said: “There is no mitigation apart from his plea. Romarni said to me 'I want to plead guilty'. From a young age, his mother had her own difficulties and he entered the care system. In a letter to your honour, he speaks of how he simply can't understand how he did what he did.' He was handed a 10-and-a-half-year sentence which is made up of seven-and-a-half year custodial sentences plus a three-year extension. Philip Bown, for McLennan, whose criminal history began with a robbery when he was aged just 12, said: 'He's settling down in custody and getting good reports. It's probably that this has been the most constructive period in this young man's life and it's regrettable to say that.' He was handed a 13-year term made up of 10 years custody and a three-year extension. Both teens will not be allowed to apply for parole until two-thirds of the way through the custodial element of their sentences
GUN CRIME SHOOTING SHOPPING CENTRE NOTTINGHAM SPAIN FLIGHT ARREST SENTENCE
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