A pair of thugs used a 'slam gun' in a 'horrific' alleyway shooting that left man with life changing face injuries. Joshua Giles, from Swinton, Manchester, and Levi McCandlish were spotted buying balaclavas and a crowbar hours before the brutal attack.
Police were called at 5.55pm on November 15, 2021, to a suspected firearms discharge in an alleyway at the rear of Skipton Street, in Morecambe. The victim, in his 20s, was rushed to hospital from the scene with life-changing facial injuries.
An investigation was immediately launched by Lancashire Police. CCTV footage showed several figures in an alleyway, with the victim targeted with an improvised firearm, known as a 'slam gun'. A driving compression wad, of a size and type found in a shotgun, was also recovered at the scene.
Further enquiries found a dark-coloured people carrier car had been in the area earlier in the day, travelling towards Morecambe from Lancaster, before returning. The car, a grey Renault Espace, had been sold five days earlier to a relative of Levi McCandlish.
A day after the shooting, the vehicle was found in York Road, Lancaster. Inside, officers found a face covering, as well as receipts and tags for balaclavas, gloves and face coverings.
Enquiries found these items had been bought from a store less than half a mile from the shooting. CCTV footage from earlier in the day on November 15 captured McCandlish and Giles in the shop, buying balaclavas and a crowbar.
A number of people were later arrested by police in connection with the shooting. McCandlish, 27, of Borwick Court, Morecambe and Giles, 21, of Pendlebury Road, in Swinton, were charged with attempted murder. A 13-year-old boy was charged with wounding and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life however the case against him was later dismissed.
McCandlish and Giles both pleaded guilty at court to Section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. McCandlish was jailed for 15 years and eight months, with a five-year extended licence. Giles was handed a 13 year and six-month prison sentence, with a five-year extended licence.
Detective Chief Inspector James Edmonds, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was an absolutely horrific attack which left the local community shocked and appalled.It is remarkable the victim was not killed as a consequence of this incident.
“As part of a premeditated plan, Giles and McCandlish attacked the man with a ‘slam gun’, an improvised firearm. The pair used ammunition similar to cartridges from a shotgun, discharging the gun at close range. The victim was left with serious facial injuries and had to be placed in a medically induced coma as part of his treatment.
“Following enquiries, detectives quickly uncovered the plot to harm the victim, studying vehicle movements, CCTV, telephony and purchases from a store. After the weight of evidence was put to McCandlish and Giles, they entered guilty pleas and we welcome the sentences handed down at court.
“Their actions were deliberate and callous. The motivation for the attack has never been fully understood and neither McCandlish or Giles have offered any explanation as to why they attacked the victim. He suffered serious facial injuries and is continuing his recovery. It is clear the two adults paid no thought to the consequences of their actions and the impact this would also have on the 13-year-old boy they had brought along.
“Gun crime makes up a very small percentage of all crimes committed in Lancashire, but I hope this investigation shows anyone wishing to commit such offences will be dealt with quickly, robustly and should expect a significant prison sentence.”
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