The Manchester Crown Square Court concluded a high-profile case this week, sentencing the last of five defendants involved in a firearms incident that occurred in Cheadle, Stockport in 2021. The investigation centred around a shop where shots were fired, leading to subsequent charges related to conspiracy to possess firearms.

Jacob Richards received a significant sentence: eight years’ imprisonment, along with an extended four-year license. The court found him guilty of firearms offences, arson with intent, and a section 47 assault. The presiding judge labelled Richards as “dangerous.”

In March 2024, three other defendants also faced justice:

1. Remico Embrack received a six-and-a-half-year sentence for discharging a firearm and arson.

2. Amira Kacou was sentenced to two years in jail for conspiracy to possess firearms.

3. Another individual, aged 21, served five years for discharging a firearm but has since been released.

4. Xavier Edwards received a suspended sentence for conspiracy to possess firearms.

The court heard that Richards, Embrack, and the 21-year-old man stormed a shop in Cheadle on June 20, 2021, around 17:40. They fired shots at the owner and customers present. Fortunately, the owner activated an alarm, filling the premises with fog smoke and alerting the police.

Outside the shop, a vigilant delivery driver heard the gunfire and witnessed three males fleeing—one of them even fired at the driver’s vehicle.

Richards quickly became a suspect, leading to his arrest on June 22, 2021. The Greater Manchester Police’s Tactical Firearms Unit apprehended him at an address where they believed he was hiding. During a search of the property, authorities discovered £1300 in cash, a black handgun, a Glock-style pistol, ammunition, and cannabis.

The investigation, codenamed “Operation Empirical,” involved diligent work by the Stockport CID team. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wrench emphasized the complexity of the case and praised the team’s efforts. He stated, “We were able to secure these results and see these individuals face justice for their involvement in violent, criminal activity that inflicted fear in the community.”

DCI Wrench issued a stern warning: “If you commit crimes within Greater Manchester, we will locate, arrest, and charge you. Firearms have no place in Stockport.”