Shocking footage shown to a jury captures the moment a 9mm pistol was fired at a family home in Pyle, near Bridgend, in the early hours of the morning. A woman and her son were asleep inside at the time but were not injured. Police later found bullets lodged in a wall and in a microwave oven in the kitchen.
Shooting was planned retaliation
Cardiff Crown Court heard the shooting was planned by a Bridgend organised crime group as retaliation against alleged drug dealer Daniel O'Callaghan, who the gang believed had taken drugs worth thousands of pounds from a hiding place in Guernsey. The prosecution case is that the gang set out to "terrorise" a child but got the wrong address.
As part of the prosecution opening, the jury was shown mobile phone footage of the incident, which showed the gunman and another person fleeing the scene after firing at the property.
Forensic evidence links defendants
Andrew Jones KC, for the prosecution, told the court that a carrier bag containing a hoodie, gloves, and face masks was later found in a shed at the Bridgend home of alleged gang member Kyle Long. DNA tests confirmed a match to defendants Kian Darkes and Daniel Clarke, and gunshot residue was found on the recovered items.
The court heard that after the shooting, O'Callaghan messaged Darkes and told him he had not taken the drugs. The message read: "WTF is going on. Someone shot a gun. Is that for me? You need to tell me what is going on. I haven't done anything wrong. I've paid whatever I needed to pay. You need to know this wasn't me."
Defendants deny charges
Daniel Clarke, 21, of Llys Gwyn, Bridgend; Kian Darkes, 21, of Merlin Crescent, Cefn Glas, Bridgend; Kyle Long, 40, of Llangewydd Road, Bryntirion, Bridgend; and Callum Pearson, 24, of Ball Road, Llanrumney, Cardiff, deny conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent. Clarke and Darkes have admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition in a public place but have denied possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The four defendants plus Jade Evans, 40, of Ystrad Fawr, Bridgend, also deny being involved in the activities of an organised crime group. Evans and Long also deny conspiracy to supply ecstasy and cocaine. The trial continues.
