Peterborough: Two Guilty Of Shooting

20 March 2013, 14:02 | Updated: 20 March 2013, 14:10

A father and son have been found guilty of being involved in a triple shooting at a Peterborough travellers site.

The shooting happened on September 17, last year, when three men were shot at the Oxney Road Caravan Park. 

One victim, aged 41, suffered serious injuries after being shot in the stomach and leg and was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.  

He is still recovering at home from his injuries.

The other two victims, aged 44 and 46, suffered serious injuries and were treated at Peterborough City Hospital.

Fred Steven Smith, 47, and John Fred Smith, 23, both of Edgerley Drain Road, Peterborough, were convicted today (Wednesday March 20) at Peterborough Crown Court.

Smith senior, was found guilty of three counts of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. 

Smith junior, was found guilty of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. 

Both men will be sentenced on Friday (March 22).

According to Cambridgeshire Police, the incident is believed to have been sparked off by an earlier incident involving a relative of the Smiths but the matter was never reported.

Detective Inspector Dave Grierson said: "The Smiths decided to take the law into their own hands and will now have to face the consequences of their actions.

Thankfully, no one was killed but we could easily have been dealing with a murder inquiry.

Whatever the reason for their actions these men showed no regard for the law or the lives of those in their firing line.

I hope this conviction sends out a strong message to others that this type of criminality is not acceptable and will not be ignored by police.”