Man who shot housing officials sent to evict him convicted

 
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A man who shot two housing officials as he was being evicted from his Brixton home has been convicted.

Andrew Stephenson, 49, was today found guilty of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Police were called to the property in Strathleven Road after reports of a shooting in the street on the morning of July 3 2013.

Arrest: A man is held at the scene

Officers found a woman suffering a gunshot wound to the knee, and a man suffering gunshot wounds to the hip and leg.

They were both taken to a south London hospital for treatment.

Shortly before the police were called the two housing association employees had entered Mr Stephenson’s flat, having got no reply from the tenant.

Shooting scene: Police officers on Strathleven Road in Brixton Picture: Jeremy Selwyn

When they approached the kitchen two shots were fired, both hitting the male employee. As they left the property another shot was fired which hit the female.

An armed response unit was sent to the scene and officers forced entry to the property and restrained the defendant.

A subsequent search of the address recovered the firearm, magazine, noise suppressor (silencer), and in excess of 80 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Also recovered was a Brocock revolver and several hundred rounds of various live ammunition.

Investigation: Police officers in Brixton after the shooting

Detective Sergeant Paul Carruth, Trident Gang Crime Command, said: "This was an appalling and excessively violent attack on innocent people, simply doing their job. Being evicted from his home may very well have been stressful for the defendant however his actions were completely unnecessary and unprovoked.

"We hope today's conviction brings some closure and justice for the victims and also sends a clear message to those involved in gun crime that they will be caught and will be placed before the courts."

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