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Four killers who posed at a party after shooting dead ‘superhero’ dad are jailed

Anthony Sargeant, 33, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside his mum's house in Birmingham.

The killers are pictured at a birthday party the day after the murder. (SWNS)
The killers are pictured at a birthday party the day after the murder. (SWNS)

Four men who posed for pictures at a birthday party a day after shooting dead a dad-of-eight have been jailed.

Anthony Sargeant, 33, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside his mum's house in Birmingham on 25 August 2018.

He was rushed to hospital after being hit in the back at 9.40pm but died six days later.

Brothers Michael and Connor Goodwin, 26 and 27, Keenan Anderson, 25, and 22-year-old Leon Riley were all found guilty of murder.

On Friday at Birmingham Crown Court, Michael Goodwin and Riley were each jailed for 28 years while Connor Goodwin and Anderson were sentenced to 32 years each.

Anthony Sargeant was shot dead. (SWNS)
Anthony Sargeant was shot dead. (SWNS)

Pictures released by West Midlands Police show the killers, all from Birmingham, posing for pictures hours after the shooting.

One image shows all four smiling as they drink in a pub to celebrate Connor Goodwin’s 23rd birthday on 26 August.

Another shows the Goodwin brothers and Riley smiling as they pose with a group of friends.

Birmingham Crown Court heard Anthony had been talking to a friend in the street when a stolen BMW and Mercedes pulled up and two shots were fired.

The killers sped off, leaving Anthony lying in the street.

(Left to right) Michael Goodwin, Connor Goodwin, Keenan Anderson and Leon Riley. (West Midlands Police)
(Left to right) Michael Goodwin, Connor Goodwin, Keenan Anderson and Leon Riley. (West Midlands Police)
The killers are pictured at a birthday party the day after the murder. (SWNS)
The killers are pictured at a birthday party the day after the murder. (SWNS)

Officers scoured CCTV and analysed mobile phone traffic to link the killers to the stolen cars used in the murder.

The gun was recovered during a police raid in Derbyshire in November 2019, and ballistics experts proved it was the murder weapon.

The motive for the murder is still unknown.

Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse said: “We may never know why Mr Sargeant was murdered, but we have been able to prove that these men acted together, travelling in a convoy of two stolen cars across Birmingham to go to Rickman Drive, where Anthony Sargeant was shot.

“They have shown no remorse, denying the offence throughout."

The gun used to kill Anthony Sargeant. (SWNS)
The gun used to kill Anthony Sargeant. (SWNS)

Mr Sargeant’s devastated family paid tribute to him.

They said: “Eight fatherless children now finding their way through life without their provider, teacher and superhero.

“Anthony was such a bubbly, energetic, witty soul and we will do everything to ensure he is not forgotten.”

Mr Sargeant founded Rickman Rovers just over a year before his death and was player-manager for the team.