Two brothers who fired a sawn-off shotgun through a kitchen window in a violent attack on a mother in Newcastle have been sentenced to 24 years in prison each.
Thomas and James Lee carried out two shootings within 48 hours in 2019, terrorising the Newcastle community.
On October 3, the Lees fired the shotgun through the kitchen window of a home on Fordmoss Walk, Westerhope, following a suspected dispute with the victim’s son. The mother was cooking at the time when the blast shattered the glass, and shotgun pellets caused serious injuries to her back, arm, and face.
Two days later, in the early hours of October 5, the brothers attacked again, firing a shotgun at a man in his flat on St Keverne Square after another disagreement. The man sustained wounds to his ear and calf but survived the attack.
Although the brothers were acquitted of attempted murder in the second shooting, they were found guilty of wounding with intent.
Thomas Lee, aged 21 and homeless at the time, was also convicted of firearm possession, assault on an emergency worker, and racially aggravated disorderly behaviour. James Lee, 27, from South Shields, admitted to dangerous driving during a police chase following the shootings.
Both men were convicted at Newcastle Crown Court in October 2021 and were recently sentenced to 24 years imprisonment each.
Detective Chief Inspector Jane Fairlamb of Northumbria Police said, “Guns are not toys. They knowingly pulled the trigger to try and kill a mum and injure another man. Newcastle is safer with them behind bars.”
She added, “Under Operation Sentinel, we will keep fighting serious violent crime and delivering justice for victims.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
