A father, his son and cousin have been jailed for a revenge shooting in Leeds that left two victims with horrific, life-changing injuries.
Richard Bathie, his son Joshua Bathie and cousin Shaun McDermott, all from an East Ardsley farming family, were convicted of "embarking on a mission of bloody vengeance" after violence marred a family christening and sparked further trouble in a bitter feud. The shootings resulted in one of the men having three of his fingers amputated and the other suffering extensive damage to his elbow.
Shooting victim Patrick Doran, 28 was initially assaulted in a fight involving the three family members outside the christening party at Hanging Heaton Golf Club, Dewsbury, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 8.
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A short time later, Mr Doran, in company with his cousin William Price, 28, confronted McDermott near to his home in Batley Road, West Ardsley, and struck him on the head with a bottle.
Phone records showed McDermott alerted Richard Bathie, who arrived at the scene with his son Joshua Bathie. CCTV footage showed the three were in a state “beyond fury” and CCTV from the Bathie family farm in Woodhouse Lane, East Ardsley, showed the three arming themselves with a shotgun and other weapons. They then set off in a JCB tractor and a Mercedes pick-up truck for the Price family’s home at a caravan park in Dunningley Lane, Tingley.
You can view CCTV footage of the family preparing for the attack in the video below:
At about 6.30pm, Richard Bathie shouted abuse from the wheel of the JCB before the three descended on the site armed with the gun and other weapons. Car windows were smashed, and the shotgun repeatedly fired.
McDermott, who was armed with the gun, approached Mr Price and shot him during a scuffle as he tried to grab the barrel. Mr Price suffered severe gunshot wounds to his left elbow and extensive muscle damage to his forearm.
McDermott then pointed the gun at Mr Doran. He put up his hand which took the blast causing catastrophic damage to his fingers. He later had to have three fingers on his right hand partially amputated and suffered wounds to his upper thigh and groin.
The Bathies and McDermott then drove back to their farm in Woodhouse Lane where Edward Senior helped them to conceal the shotgun amid a huge stack of wrapped bales of hay. The weapon was later recovered by police after a four-day search.
During their investigation, detectives recovered damning CCTV footage of the incidents leading up to the shooting and other evidence including phone calls, messages and bloodstained clothing.
This resulted in Richard Bathie, aged 53, Shaun McDermott, aged 35, and Joshua Bathie, aged 18, each being charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Following a trial at Leeds Crown Court, which concluded in March, McDermott was found guilty of both counts of attempted murder, and the Bathies were each convicted of two counts of wounding with intent. All three were found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
McDermott was sentenced to 34 years in prison; Richard Bathie received a 21 year jail term; and Joshua Bathie was jailed for 15 years.
Edward Senior, aged 25, of Syke Road, Tingley, had pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice and will be sentenced and at a future date.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe said: “This was a truly shocking incident where a legally-held firearm was used with potentially murderous consequences in a premeditated attack fuelled by rage and the thirst for revenge.
“The victims suffered absolutely horrendous injuries and could easily have been killed. They have both been left with serious physical injuries and mental trauma that will affect them for the rest of their lives.
“McDermott fired the shots, but Richard and Joshua Bathie are just as guilty as he is, as they knew full well they were going after the victims with a loaded shotgun bent on bloody revenge.
“When he pulled the trigger and blasted the victims from near point-blank range, it was only by sheer chance that they were not killed. Regardless of the events leading up to the shooting, there can be absolutely no justification for the appalling actions of these three.
“We hope their convictions and the sentences they have received will provide some reassurance to the victims and their families, and also send a very clear message that those who use violence, particularly involving the criminal use of firearms, can expect to feel the full weight of the law.”
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