Rupert Doswell recently conducted the successful prosecution of Peter McStravick and David Still in Newcastle Crown Court. Mr McStravick was found guilty by a jury following his trial, having shot his victim in the back of the head with a shotgun on his doorstep, following an altercation in the street. Mr Still admitted possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at the beginning of the trial. In a public statement after the conviction, DCI Gosling of Durham Constabulary said:
“This was a cowardly shooting of a man on the doorstep of his family home.
The victim is incredibly lucky to be alive after being shot in the back at close range in front of his horrified family, leaving him with multiple wounds and dozens of pellets lodged in his body.
Peter McStravrick, who pulled the trigger, and David Still, who supplied the gun, could easily have been facing even more serious charges.
This verdict goes to show that if members of the community are prepared to come forward with evidence we will take it to court and we will secure justice”
For more information about the case, click here.