Reece Burton has been jailed
Reece Burton, 29, waited outside the victim’s home in Birch Road in June 2019 and shot him in the neck, narrowly missing vital arteries and blood vessels.
He then rode away on a bicycle leaving the victim staggering home.
Police arrested Burton days later but never recovered the weapon involved.
Burton, of no fixed address, denied any involvement but was found guilty of attempted murder and possession of a firearm.
Yesterday, at the Old Bailey, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and told he must serve a minimum of 12 years.
He was also sentenced to eight years in prison for possession of a firearm, to be served concurrently.
Detective Inspector Matthew Webb, who led the investigation, said: “This offence was borne from tensions between street gangs and their members and was clearly a pre-planned and targeted attack.
“There is no doubt that Burton intended to take the life of the victim. He laid in wait with a firearm, with no regard to the fact it was broad daylight and other members of the public were present.
“It is simply pure luck that the victim was not killed.
“The sentence imposed today illustrates the seriousness of this offence. I would like to use this opportunity to offer my thanks to those people who selflessly assisted the victim, offering comfort and first aid, not knowing if Burton and his associate were still nearby”.
Tags: Waltham Forest, Leytonstone
