Man who shot victim at point-blank range in Dudley jailed for 32 years
After a week on the run, Haughton was spotted by armed officers driving through Wolverhampton
A gunman who shot a man at point-blank range and planted GPS trackers on his victim’s car in a premeditated attack has been jailed for 32 years.
Leon Haughton, 34, from Wolverhampton, opened fire on his victim in the early hours of 6 April in a car park in Dudley before fleeing the scene in his car.
Police were alerted shortly after 1.45am, when the victim, a man in his 20s, arrived at hospital with a gunshot wound.
A major investigation was immediately launched, with detectives piecing together hours of CCTV footage and mobile data to trace Haughton’s movements before and after the shooting.
After a week on the run, Haughton was spotted by armed officers driving through Great Hampton Street, Wolverhampton, on 14 April.
When they searched his car, they found a loaded, shortened shotgun and 11 cartridges hidden in the boot.
Further investigation revealed Haughton had gone to extreme lengths to track and target his victim, including attaching GPS devices under the man’s car using cable ties and conducting detailed online research about him.
Appearing before Wolverhampton Crown Court, Haughton was found guilty of attempted murder.
He had already pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm.
He was sentenced on 5 November to 32 years in prison.
"targeted, pre-planned attack"
Detective Inspector Francis Nock, from the Major Crime Team, said: “This was a targeted, pre-planned attack by Haughton and it’s only down to sheer luck the victim wasn’t killed.
“This has been an incredibly in-depth investigation right from the very start with different teams from across the force working to piece together exactly what happened.
“We analysed a large amount of CCTV footage as well as mobile data and were able to unearth just how much research Haughton had done into his victim.
“We were able to trace his movements leading up to the day of the attack and his movements after. I want to thank everyone involved for their time in helping get Haughton behind bars.
“I hope this sentence sends a message to others thinking they can get away with using guns in our community, that they’ve got no place on our streets and we’ll always work tirelessly as we’ve shown here to get justice and put them before the courts.”
The case forms part of Operation Target, West Midlands Police’s ongoing crackdown on serious and organised crime, which targets offenders involved in firearms, drugs, money laundering, and exploitation across the region.