Husband jailed for shooting rival

A jealous husband who tried to "execute" a love rival in a barbershop as he cut a child's hair has been jailed indefinitely.

Kirk Richards, 35, who was estranged from his wife, must serve 15 years for attempting to murder Norman Smith, 37.

The Old Bailey heard Richards, of West Norwood, south London, had become "intensely jealous" that his wife had started a relationship with Mr Smith.

The court heard Mr Smith was lucky to survive the attack on 21 October 2008.

Richards fired five shots with a converted Baikal pistol which ricocheted around the busy Magic Touch barbershop in Norwood.

Mr Smith was shot in the chest, arm and back.

'Fragile relationship'

Judge Peter Thornton said: "You showed a nonchalant disregard for the safety of other persons present.

"Mercifully, Smith seems to have made a good recovery."

He continued: "You believed Smith was an intruder into the somewhat fragile relationship with your wife - although I am more inclined to believe that she had had enough of you.

"It is clear you wanted him dead.

"This was a planned but failed attempted execution."

The judge recommended Richards, who he gave an indeterminate sentence, is deported to his native Jamaica when he is released, adding that his continuing presence in Britain would be "to the country's detriment".

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