An innocent man was shot in the legs with a shotgun outside his home while walking to a chip shop in a case of mistaken identity. Daniel Lawless, 23, was jailed for 18 and a half years at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after admitting wounding with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Mistaken Identity Attack
David Forbes left his home on Cubert Road in Croxteth on the evening of February 28, 2025, to pick up food for his family. As he crossed the road, he noticed Lawless, wearing all black and a mask, drop a white plastic bag and run towards him. Lawless mumbled something indistinct before pointing a shotgun at Forbes and opening fire.
Forbes, who had no connection to Lawless or his associates, recalled a "bang and a flash" before falling to the floor, realising he had been shot in the legs. He dragged himself back to his house, where his stepson heard him cry, "I've been shot."
Victim's Statement
In a statement read to the court, Forbes said: "I wanted to look at him directly and ask him why? I have no knowledge of why this happened. I was the wrong person at the wrong time. I'm glad it happened to me. Initially, my stepson was going to the chip shop. I decided to go instead. He's struggled with what's happened and struggled with his exams during his third year at university."
Forbes added: "I'd just like to know why he did this to me. I was just going to the shop. Why did he still shoot me if I wasn't the person he wanted to shoot? It was nothing to do with me."
Injuries and Aftermath
The shooting left Forbes with "nasty injuries to his lower leg". He spent an initial fortnight in hospital, then was readmitted for four weeks after developing blood clots. He has undergone multiple operations and skin grafts and still has hundreds of shotgun pellets embedded in his legs. He was unable to attend the sentencing hearing due to continuing medical procedures.
Prosecutor Simon Christie said: "Mr Forbes believed this to be a case of mistaken identity. He was entirely correct. This was a deliberate shooting of a wholly innocent person who was nothing whatsoever to do with the defendant."
Defendant's Background
Lawless had previous convictions, including 10 months for making threats with an offensive weapon in January 2023 and five years and four months for wounding with intent in July 2025 after throwing boiling sugar water over his cellmate. CCTV showed him showing the shotgun to friends in the car park of the Lobster pub before the shooting. The gun was never recovered.
Charles Lander, defending, said Lawless had suffered the death of his grandmother and faced a lengthy prison term. He noted that Lawless's parents "express their utmost sympathy to Mr Forbes and his family" and that Lawless was determined to leave Liverpool and his associates after release.
Sentence
Judge Garrett Byrne sentenced Lawless to 18 and a half years in prison, with an additional four years on licence. He said: "Mr Forbes was a totally innocent member of the public. He did not know you. He did not associate with you or any of your friends. He had nothing to do with any criminal group. He was simply walking to a chip shop to get some food."
The judge added: "You left your home carrying a loaded shotgun in a plastic bag. Your face was covered. You intended to shoot someone as part of some petty, tit-for-tat retaliation. You showed the weapon off to your friends."
Lawless appeared via video link to HMP Liverpool and wiped his eyes with his t-shirt as the sentence was passed.
