Two jailed for Stretford shooting which left teenager with serious injuries

Deas (L) and Williams (R)

Two people have been jailed following a shooting in Stretford which left a teenager with dozens of metal fragments in his body.

The sentences came today (20 December 2024) at Manchester Crown Square.

At around 4.30pm on Thursday 10 August 2023, officers received reports of a male with a firearm in the Langdale Road area of the town.

Armed officers immediately attended the scene and located a 16-year-old boy, who had received injuries consistent with being inflicted by a shotgun. He was transported to hospital for intensive care treatment, where the pellets were discovered to have penetrated multiple organs.

While the injuries were subsequently deemed to be life-threatening, the victim is now making a steady recovery, while still feeling the effects of the attack.

An investigation was launched and it was soon established that a group of males had approached the area, including Deas, who was seen via CCTV footage to be holding one arm close to his body – believed to have been concealing a weapon. Multiple other males were likewise seen to be walking with an unnatural gait, possibly indicating the concealment of weapons.

Following the firearms discharge, the group were seen fleeing the scene. Young children who had been playing nearby as the shooting took place were quickly ushered away from the area by an adult.

In the hours and days after the attack, Williams assisted in disposing of the firearm, as well as assisting Deas despite knowing he was wanted by the police.

The group were arrested in the days and week following the shooting and received multiple charges for their part in it.

Ethan Deas, (26/01/06), of no fixed abode has been jailed for 10 years and three months after previously pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Richard Williams, (03/06/87), of Jackson Street, Stretford, was jailed for two years and six months after pleading guilty to two counts of assisting an offender.

Additionally, a 20-year old received a 22 month custodial sentence at a youth offender institute, suspended for 18 months, while a 19-year-old a 12 month custodial sentence at a youth offender institute, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

Three other males – aged 16, 17, and 17 – and who can’t be named for legal reasons – received 12-month youth rehabilitation orders for violent disorder.

Another 16-year-old male received a 12 month detention and training order after pleading guilty to violent disorder and assisting an offender.

Detective Inspector Lee Shaw, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “This horrific incident could have easily left a young teenager with more serious or even fatal injuries, and these sort of vile acts are something we will never rest on or tolerate in our communities.

“The victim was left with multiple pellets in their body, of which many still remain, as further surgery could result in more pain, more damage, and further injury.

“Immediately following the shooting, we poured considerable resources into investigating the full circumstances which led to the events in Stretford, as well as the steps each offender took in its aftermath to cover their tracks.

“Our comprehensive work saw specialist teams use various methods to scour all available evidence and ensure the sentences of the people involved that you have seen this week.

“Gun crime is something we are absolutely dedicated to tackling, and over the last three years, officers across every district have collectively seized more than 230 firearms as we look to take these deadly weapons off our streets.”

“If you have any information about illegal firearms or activity, I would urge you to get in touch with police so we can take action against those responsible.”