Three men sentenced after shots fired during drug dispute in Redditch
Bullets struck a car carrying a child seat during the shooting
Three men have been sentenced after gunshots were fired in Redditch, with bullets striking a car that contained a child seat.
The shooting happened during a dispute linked to drug supply, with three people now jailed following a trial.
Sentences handed down
The men appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday 29th April 2026 after being found guilty during an 11-week trial last year.
Twenty-two-year-old Deago Martin, of Staffordshire Pool Close in Birmingham, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
He was sentenced to 16 years for the firearm offence and a further nine years for attempted grievous bodily harm, to run at the same time.
The judge also imposed a life sentence, meaning he must serve a minimum of 10 years and six months.
Twenty-one-year-old Keelan Brookes, of Ratcliffe Avenue in Birmingham, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and supplying cocaine and cannabis.
He was sentenced to 14 years.
Twenty-six-year-old Kaine Simmonds, of Club View in Birmingham, was found guilty of supplying heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine, and assisting an offender.
He was sentenced to seven years and eight months.
What happened
Police were called to Ombersley Close in Redditch at around 1:15pm on Tuesday 26th March 2024 after reports of gunshots.
The court heard Brookes and Martin met and exchanged words before both produced firearms.
Brookes fired first, and Martin returned fire.
Three shots were fired across an occupied car, with bullets going through the rear of the vehicle and hitting an unoccupied child seat.
The two people inside the car were not injured.
Drug dispute behind shooting
The investigation found the shooting was linked to a dispute between two rival drug networks operating in Redditch.
Martin was linked to the “Captain line”, while Brookes was part of the “Frank line”, which was attempting to expand into the same area.
After the shooting, Martin discarded his clothing, while Brookes was helped by associates who provided transport and somewhere to stay.
Police response
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Arrowsmith said: “It is important to remember the complete disregard Martin and Brookes showed when they discharged firearms without any thought for the potential danger of their actions and the devastation it could have caused.
“I would like to commend the team who worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and their work has exposed two drug lines that supplied drugs into Redditch.
“We know that organised gangs, like the Captain and Frank lines, target and exploit vulnerable people within our communities and the sentencing today will help towards protecting those at risk."