Zero tolerance warning on gangs warns judge

A judge condemned the mentality of gang members in the Black Country as he jailed a gunman for more than eight years over a nightclub shooting.

Judge Michael Dudley warned: "The message has got to go out to those who join gangs, who carry weapons as a matter of course, that society simply will not tolerate it.

"People get hurt and people get killed when guns are around."

Gareth Ranger was today beginning a jail sentence of eight-and-a-half-years for firing a single shot into the door of Tropical Harmony in Bilston, which has been the scene of at least three shootings in recent years including a murder.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday how trouble flared when a group of up to 10 men went to the High Street club at around 3.15am on June 29 last year.

Staff knew Ranger, who went by the nickname Ratty and was said to be a member of the Heath Town-based Firetown Crew, and 21-year-old father-of-two Tony Lewis.

The pair and others tried to push their way in and a bouncer who frisked Ranger felt something under his jacket.

After Ranger warned that he would not take no for an answer, other door staff arrived and ushered the group out of the entrance onto the street.

Mr Walter Beilby, prosecuting, said the trouble at the "inaptly-named club" came against a "background of a great deal of gang rivalry".

He said Lewis tried to kick the door down, before 22-year-old Ranger pulled out the gun and fired.

Staff inside heard the shot, but the bullet did not penetrate the door of the club.

Lewis kicked the door again before the pair fled. They were later arrested after being identified on CCTV images by detectives.

Police found a balaclava and bulletproof vest when they searched his house following the shooting.

Ranger, of All Saints Road, Wolverhampton, admitted possession of a handgun with intent to cause fear of violence, while Lewis of Red Oak House, Inkerman Street, Heath Street, admitted affray.

Mr Beilby showed the court a picture of several men, including the defendants, wearing the Firetown Crew's hallmark red colours at an alleged Firetown gang member's funeral in the city. He said: "Ranger and Lewis can be seen along with other members of the gang.

"There's a type of uniform of sorts worn by members of the gang."

Ranger, who has previous convictions for cannabis possession and assaulting a police officer, said he threw the gun in a bin after the shooting.

His lawyer said he had been "immature" and was showing "bravado" that night.

Lewis's girlfriend, 27-year-old Nicola Robinson, a business studies teacher at Darlaston's Grace Academy, gave evidence to the court and said he was not a gang member but a "mature and family-orientated" father who hoped to get a job in motorway maintenance. Judge Dudley told Lewis: "There's a question mark over whether you are a gang man or not.

"If I've been duped only time will tell. You can thank the young lady that I'm going to give you a chance to prove my suspicions wrong."

He gave Lewis, whose lawyer said had been "foolish", a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a night time curfew.

Det Chief Insp Derek Quinn, of Wolverhampton police, said today: "We work closely with our residents and business communities to identify offenders and secure convictions like this.

"This sentence sends a clear message that gun crime is unacceptable and those convicted must be imprisoned to protect the public.

"Incidents like this give a false impression that Wolverhampton is blighted by gun crime.

"However in reality, gun crime still accounts for only a very small proportion of crime and is usually carried out by a few members of our communities.

"A small number of individuals will not harm the reputation of Wolverhampton as a safe city in which to live, work and visit."