Gang member jailed for shooting

A gang member has been jailed for shooting a student who was working as a doorman at a university concert.

Aaron Waller, 22, was seriously injured when he was hit three times at close range on 10 March 2007 at Loughborough University, Leicestershire.

Jermain Carty, 30 - described in court as a leading member of Birmingham's Johnson Crew - had denied attempted murder and possession of a firearm.

He was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years at Leicester Crown Court.

Carty, of Canary Grove, Handsworth, Birmingham, has told police he is the leader of the Johnson Crew - one of the most violent gangs in Birmingham over the past decade.

Charlene Ellis, 18, and Letisha Shakespeare, 17, died after being caught up in the crossfire in a feud between the Johnson Crew and rivals after a New Year's party in Birmingham in 2003.

"You took deliberate aim and fired repeatedly at university security staff who were only students"
Judge Michael Pert

In sentencing him on Monday, Judge Michael Pert told Carty: "I have formed the view that you are an arrogant young man who was determined not to let a slight on your person go unpunished.

"You took deliberate aim and fired repeatedly at university security staff who were only students.

"You hit one of them three times and it was only a matter of chance that he didn't die."

More than 1,000 people had gone to watch US act Pretty Ricky at the Loughborough concert.

The court was told despite an extra security presence, the atmosphere in the venue became tense and aggressive.

A gas canister was set off and door staff were forced to throw out a number of people and in that commotion Carty's gold chain was broken.

Mr Waller told the court that the 30-year-old began threatening security staff and called them "white trash" before returning with a gun.

'Well-known criminal'

As the victim tried to flee, he was shot three times, once in the chest and twice in the leg.

He needed emergency surgery and spent three weeks in hospital.

He said one of the bullets had exited through his mobile phone, which was in his trouser pocket, smashing the phone to pieces.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Waller said: "Today is not a celebration for me - I have waited over a year for this. I am very relieved and satisfied that justice has been achieved.

"The past year has been extremely difficult and distressing. I hope now to try and put this all behind me and look forward to the future."

Det Ch Insp Phil Taylor said: "Carty... is a well-known criminal with a history of gun and gang related crime and a man who has chosen a path of violence in his life.

"He had a weapon... and he clearly had no qualms about using a gun to settle what we can only assume he saw was a slight against him."

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