Gang Hitman Jailed For Murder Bid

An armed hitman, who fled a shooting on his pedal bike, has been locked-up for at least twelve years.

Reece Burton, 29, shot his 28 year-old victim Aaron Charles in the neck after waiting outside his east London home one morning last summer.

Police say the assassination bid was the result of tensions between criminal street gangs.

Fortunately his target survived and Burton was convicted at the Old Bailey of attempted murder and given a life sentence.

He was also given an eight-year sentence for possessing a firearm.

The court heard on the morning of Monday, June 17, last year Burton armed himself with a loaded firearm and travelled to Birch Grove, Leytonstone where he lay in wait for the victim.

When the target left his mother's house at around 11.30am, Burton discharged the firearm at least twice.

One of the shots struck the victim in the back of the neck, narrowly missing vital arteries and blood vessels.

The victim staggered home, convinced he was dying, while Burton fled the scene on his bicycle.

Detectives from Specialist Crime launched an investigation and Burton was identified and arrested four days later.

The firearm has never been recovered and Burton failed to admit any responsibility for the attack.

On sentencing, the judge said Burton was a dangerous offender, who was heavily entrenched in criminal culture.

Detective Inspector Matthew Webb, who led the investigation, said: “This offence was borne from tensions between street gangs and their members and was clearly a pre-planned and targeted attack.

“There is no doubt that Burton intended to take the life of the victim. 

“He laid in wait with a firearm, with no regard to the fact it was broad daylight and other members of the public were present.

“It is simply pure luck that the victim was not killed.

“The sentence imposed today illustrates the seriousness of this offence. 

“I would like to use this opportunity to offer my thanks to those people who selflessly assisted the victim, offering comfort and first aid, not knowing if Burton and his associate were still nearby."