Man shot rival after losing fight in street
Northumbria PoliceA man who shot his rival in a busy street after losing a fistfight has been jailed for 12 years.
After being bested by the other man, Stephen Thompson, 50, pulled a handgun out of his bag and fired at his victim, shooting him in the arm and shoulder, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The victim spent three days in hospital but refused to assist the police investigation.
Thompson, who had a long history of criminality, was initially charged with attempted murder but admitted wounding with intent.
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said Thompson, of Proctor Street in Walker, Newcastle, had been walking past the victim's home near the Stag's Head in Byker when a confrontation erupted at about 13:30 BST on 16 October.
Thompson had previously been the victim of violent attacks, one of which left him with a severe head injury and memory issues, so carried weapons with him as protection, the court heard.
He and the victim had a history of animosity and a fight broke out with the victim gaining the upper hand and gouging at Thompson's eyes, Mr Wardlaw said.
Thompson managed to break free and shot the man in the shoulder before fleeing, the court heard.
'Reacted badly'
The 9mm calibre bullet entered through the man's arm and exited through his shoulder, narrowly missing bones and an artery, Mr Wardlaw said.
He has been left with permanent scarring but no long-term injury.
Investigators found a bag Thompson had been carrying which contained a knife and bottle of ammonia, Mr Wardlaw said.
Thompson, who had more than 100 convictions on his criminal record, had a "history of antipathy" towards his victim, defence barrister Robin Turton said.
Mr Turton said: "[Thompson] wasn't going looking for trouble, unfortunately he reacted badly once it came looking for him."
Judge Gavin Doig said it was "almost miraculous" no serious injuries were caused and Thompson "could easily have killed" his victim.
He said the bullet had been fired from a blank cartridge firing pistol which had been converted or reactivated to fire live rounds, with the handgun potentially still in circulation having never been found.
Thompson, who also admitted possessing a knife and corrosive substance, was ordered to serve an extra four years on extended licence upon his eventual release from prison.