Balaclava-clad brothers on motorbike tried to discharge firearm at Linthorpe home
A pair of balaclava-clad brothers who targeted a home with a firearm are now behind bars.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Brandon and Ellis Younger, aged 21 and 24, travelled on a motorbike to Dresser Lane in Linthorpe armed with a firearm and pulled onto the drive. Footage shows one brother walking up to the property and attempting to discharge the weapon. However, it failed, and he quickly got on to the back of the motorbike and the pair drove away.
However, around 30 seconds later, the motorbike comes back on to Dresser Lane and parks near the property. Another attempt is made to shoot at the house while at the same time, the other brother remains on the motorbike telling his sibling to 'smash' the windows.
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He then gets back on the motorbike, and they ride away at speed from the area. The shooting took place shortly before midnight on Monday, April 17, 2023. The house was occupied at the time, but no injuries were reported.
Cleveland Police's investigation involved the analysis of a mobile phone that pinpointed the brothers in the vicinity of Dresser Lane one hour prior to the attack. In a text message after the shooting Ellis says to Brandon 'mad ting that wasn't it G'.
In another attack on Wednesday, April 19, the brothers gave instructions to Jordan Wheater, of South Terrace in South Bank, to throw paint over the door of the same property on Dresser Lane. The 27-year-old used his mobile phone to book a taxi to take him to the property in the early hours of the morning. CCTV footage shows him getting out of the vehicle, walking towards the property with a tin of paint and committing criminal damage.
A few months later on Thursday, September 7, 2023, police received information that there were firearms underneath a caravan at a property on Berwick Hills Avenue in Middlesbrough that was linked to Wheater. Officers located and seized a pistol, slam gun and live shotgun ammunition.
Following forensic enquiries, Wheater's DNA was found on the weapons. Wheater attended Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday, February 21 and was sentenced to five years and four months for possession of a firearm and being a prohibited person. He received a fine in relation to the criminal damage of paint to the property.
On April 20, 2023, the Younger brothers were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to possess a firearm and cause damage. They were questioned, released on bail before being subsequently charged on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Brandon pleaded guilty to the offences and Ellis was found guilty by a jury following a trial. Today, Monday September 30, both brothers appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced.
A judge sentenced Brandon of Ordsall Green in Park End, Middlesbrough, to six years and nine months in prison and Ellis, of Etisley Green in Middlesbrough, to seven years and nine months.
Det Insp Matt Hollingsworth, from Cleveland Police's Homicide Major Enquiry Team, said: "A firearm is one of the most dangerous weapons that can be used by an individual. It is often linked to people who are associated with organised crime and either used to threaten, intimidate, or cause serious harm or violence.
"Thankfully on this occasion nobody was hurt, however there could have been a serious injury therefore the actions of the Younger brothers should not be underestimated. The investigation was comprehensive and thorough to identify the two men on the motorbike, and gather evidential material from mobile phone data, CCTV and doorbell footage linking them to the shooting.
"I hope the jail term served to the brothers is seen as an eye opener to those who are intent on having access to and using a firearm illegally. You will be caught and have to face the consequences of your actions behind bars."
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