Two Men Jailed for Letterbox Shooting That Left Teen with 30 Pellet Wounds
Two men have been sentenced to prison after travelling from Bristol to Cardiff with a loaded shotgun, which was fired through a letterbox, leaving a 15-year-old boy with 30 gunshot injuries. The attack, described in court as intended to "send a message" in an ongoing drugs feud, occurred on June 7th, while the victim and his younger sibling were home alone.
Premeditated Attack Captured on CCTV
Efekan Karahan, 18, and Ashley Corbin, 21, made a specific journey from their Bristol residences to carry out the shooting on behalf of a rival organised crime gang. CCTV footage captured the pair dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas, repeatedly pacing along a footpath leading to the property while using shrubbery as cover. Corbin drove them in a stolen grey Volkswagen Golf, which had been taken on June 4th.
Prior to the assault, the defendants stopped at a Costa Coffee before parking across a field from the targeted residence. Karahan carried the loaded shotgun while Corbin recorded his accomplice using a mobile phone. At 7.36pm, Karahan crossed the field towards the front door but stumbled on the doorstep, alerting the occupants inside.
Horrific Ordeal for Teenage Victim
The 15-year-old victim had ventured downstairs to make a coffee when he heard a bang at the front door. He walked into the hallway and spotted a dark figure through the door's glass panel. Prosecutor Clare Wilkins detailed how the teenager heard a gunshot and saw the letterbox come off, followed by a second shot that caused immediate pain in his legs.
His younger sibling watched in horror as a figure fled from the scene, hearing his brother's screams from downstairs before discovering the blood. Medical staff described the victim as "pale, alert, talking and scared" when they arrived. He received treatment for numerous pellet injuries across his legs, resulting in significant swelling and bruising.
Medical Consequences and Investigation
Examination at the University Hospital of Wales revealed 30 pellets lodged in the teenager's leg, with the deepest penetrating 5cm close to his shin bone. Several pellets were positioned too deeply for extraction, as surgical intervention risked causing additional harm. Forensic experts determined that without a protective cage fitted behind the letterbox, the blast could have struck the victim in the chest or head, potentially proving fatal.
The victim spent two months relying on crutches following the shooting and described his fears about potentially losing one or both legs, along with constant anxiety over his wounds becoming septic. In a personal statement, he explained how his passion for boxing and running had been completely stripped away by the attack.
Evidence Gathering and Arrest
Police investigations into the defendants' locations revealed the Golf had been stolen days before the attack. On June 12th, a Newport resident reported a vehicle blocking her driveway and observed two young males exiting. Officers recovered the car and utilised its telematics box to examine journey data, enabling them to obtain crucial CCTV footage.
Karahan's DNA was discovered on coins discarded outside the Cardiff property, while Corbin's DNA was identified on counterfeit number plates fitted to the Golf. Both defendants were apprehended on June 16th after being spotted driving a stolen Range Rover in Bristol. Their mobile phones were confiscated and revealed the defendants had been present at the Cardiff location, with partial footage of the shooting stored on the devices.
Mocking Messages and Court Sentencing
Messages discovered on the phones showed the defendants mocking Karahan for stumbling twice during the attack, with the episode being described as "funny as f***". A further message from Corbin read: "I can't stop looking at the video fam, it makes me laugh every time".
Karahan, of Rousham Road, Bristol, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, having a loaded shotgun in a public place, and unlawful wounding. The court was told he has two prior convictions for possession of a bladed article and dangerous driving. He received a prison sentence of eight years and four months, along with an extended licence period of one year and six months.
Corbin, of no fixed abode, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, having a loaded shotgun in a public place, and unlawful wounding. The court was informed he has seven previous convictions for offences including wounding, battery and criminal damage. He received a six-year prison term, with an extended licence period of three years.
Victim's Trauma and Prosecution Response
In his victim's personal statement delivered to the court, the 15-year-old recounted: "I was at home on a normal weekend day, my mum had gone out for a birthday party, and my little brother was in his room. I went to make a coffee and the next thing I knew my world turned upside down. I can't explain the pain of being shot, fortunately not many people go through this, even fewer experience it out of the blue in their home."
He added: "It was the scariest experience of my life, being shot by two people who thought nothing of putting a shotgun through the letterbox of a family home and pulling the trigger. No one is safe from them."
After the court session, Leighton Mawer from the Crown Prosecution Service commented: "The two defendants pre-planned their offending, including the use of a firearm, resulting in a person being seriously injured. When firearms are discharged, the consequences can often be fatal, but fortunately that was not the outcome in this instance. The strong evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service resulted in guilty pleas, and the offenders being brought to justice."
