Two gunmen have been sentenced to prison terms of nine and seven years respectively after a shocking shooting spree in Essex. Thomas Connors, 24, from Edgware, Middlesex, received a nine-and-a-half-year sentence, while his accomplice Thomas Saunders from Rayleigh, Essex, was handed seven years. Both were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on 31 March.
On 9 September 2020, a victim in Hovefields Avenue was woken by gunfire. The victim confronted Thomas Saunders at the door after hearing the shots. When Saunders left, the victim discovered that his living room window had been smashed, along with damage to a caravan and a car on his property.
The following day, police executed a search warrant at Saunders’ home and recovered a shotgun along with two additional firearms hidden in nearby woods. The shotgun had been stolen eight months earlier during a burglary in Layer-de-la-Haye. Forensic examinations on a suspected getaway car linked both Saunders and Connors to the shooting incident.
On 19 October 2020, the pair were spotted in a car on Twickenham High Street. After a brief police chase, officers from the Metropolitan Police arrested them. Connors was found to be driving on a provisional licence.
Detective Sergeant Steve Robson from the Serious Organised Crime Unit said, “The court has jailed both men for substantial periods of time, which shows how seriously they view these offences. This is a fantastic result. Not only has it taken two dangerous offenders and three firearms off our streets, it demonstrates that even organised criminals are not above the law or beyond the reach of Essex Police.”
He added, “We don’t tolerate criminals who use guns. Thankfully no-one was injured. We spent a great deal of time tracking them down and ensuring justice was served. The three guns recovered will be destroyed.”
Sentencing details for Thomas Connors include nine years and six months in total: seven years for encouraging offences, one year for criminal damage (concurrent), and six months for dangerous driving (consecutive). He also received a two-year driving ban and must pass an extended driving test after release. Additional convictions for unrelated burglaries resulted in a further two-year sentence for aggravated burglary (consecutive) and two years for three burglaries (concurrent).
Thomas Saunders was sentenced to seven years in total: seven years for possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, with an additional one year for criminal damage (concurrent).
The sentences serve as a strong warning to criminals involved in gun crime rings across Essex and surrounding areas.
Originally published by UKNIP.
