Two men from Bedford jailed after gangland shooting investigation which focused on Milton Keynes

Mason Phiri, 24, and Alain Mbuku-Sengua, 21, both from Bedfordshire, were found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at a trial last year.

Today (Tuesday), they appeared at Northampton Crown Court where they were both sentenced to ten years. Due to the dangerousness they present both will serve a minimum of seven years before they are eligible for parole.

The pair had travelled to Wellingborough from Bedford in possession of a shotgun and discharged the weapon at a 16-year-old boy who was riding a bike in Gold Street, on the evening of March 21, 2016.

It is believed the victim was targeted in revenge for an incident which happened in October 2015 in which Phiri was injured. Luckily the teenager wasn’t injured in the shooting.

Detective Sergeant Keith Morson, from Operation Worcester, the force’s response to gang crime, revealed the investigation took in several areas including Milton Keynes.

“This sentencing satisfactorily brings to a conclusion a very complex investigation,” he said.

“Our enquiries took us to Milton Keynes, London, Luton and Bedford and the tenacity of the investigation team over a lengthy period led to the apprehension and conviction of the offenders.

“I hope that the successful convictions of Phiri and Mbuku-Sengua help to bring closure for the victim who had done nothing to deserve becoming a victim of such savage violence.”

This is the second case where people have been sentenced for their part in the shooting of a teenager in Wellingborough in the last month.

Chanze Nolan, 21 and Devontae Harris, 18, both from Northampton, were sentenced after pleading guilty to wounding with intent, with Nolan also pleading guilty to being in possession of a firearm, after an 18-year-old was shot in Burns Road, Wellingborough, last September.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee McBride, said: “We are committed to tackling those people involved in gang-related activity, especially when serious acts of violence are used.

“We will continue to provide a robust policing response to target those people we believe to be involved in serious and organised crime, especially when illegal firearms are involved.

“This case shows that our work with partners, locally and in other parts of the UK does help to send offenders to prison and I hope our relentless pursuit of Phiri and Mbuku-Sengua acts as a deterrent to others who involve themselves in the illegal use of firearms.

“We will continue to vigorously challenge those people involved in this type of crime and are reliant on the public’s help in our quest to tackle offenders. If you have any information about people involved in drugs or violence offences, call us on 101, report information online or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“We are continuing to work with local organisations to help tackle some of the long term issues around children and young people who are getting involved in this type of crime and anyone who has concerns about someone can call us on 101 for advice. Alternatively, you can visit the gang section of our website northants.police.uk for more information.”