Four Men Sentenced to Over 100 Years for Attempted Murder

Four men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 100 years in prison after being found guilty of attempting to murder a man in Wolverhampton. The incident occurred on September 18, 2024, when the men chased their 45-year-old victim down a street in Horseley Fields and shot him in the back.

Despite the severity of the attack, the victim survived and was able to seek medical treatment at a local hospital, where he was later discharged. Prior to the shooting, he had parked his grey Mercedes outside a pub on Harp Street, where its tyres were slashed.

Following the assault, a black Mercedes was used to transport the attackers away from the scene, according to West Midlands Police. Investigators discovered that two of the defendants had travelled from Birmingham to Wolverhampton in the vehicle. Upon reaching the Bilston area, they met two accomplices at an industrial estate.

Conviction and Sentencing Details

The four men—Richard Beckles, 44, from Wavertree Close, Telford; Cleon Johnson, 39, from Sparrows Forge Drive, Walsall; Khyle Gayle, 31, from Faulkners Farm Drive, Birmingham; and Constantine Campbell, 52, from Puddlers Drive, Tipton—were convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court of attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Each received substantial sentences, with Beckles, Johnson, and Gayle receiving 30 years in prison, while Campbell was sentenced to 27 years.

A fifth individual, Michael Soledolu, was found not guilty of the charges.

Lead investigator, Detective Inspector Francis Nock from the Major Crime Unit, emphasized the seriousness of the crime. “Although their intended target survived this attack, shots being fired at someone in the street is a terrifying prospect for most people and we will not tolerate this in our cities or towns,” he stated.

Investigation and Community Safety Efforts

The investigation utilized forensic phone evidence to link the four defendants together, revealing numerous communications among them. Police were able to trace their movements, despite attempts to evade capture by using multiple vehicles and locations for pick-up.

The incident has raised concerns about safety in the community, prompting police to continue their efforts to combat serious and organized crime through operations like Op Target. Officers are actively gathering local intelligence, seizing illegal goods, and executing warrants to deter offenders.

Individuals with information related to such incidents are encouraged to reach out to local authorities via the police website’s Live Chat feature or by calling 101. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crimestoppers at 0800 55111.