TWO Oldbury brothers have been found guilty of murder after fatally shooting a father of eight outside his family home.
Anthony Sargeant, 33, had been talking to a friend in Rickman Drive, Lee Bank when a BMW and Mercedes pulled up and two shots were fired at around 9.40 pm on August 25, 2018.
Mr Sargeant was hit once in the back and died in hospital from his injuries six days later.
The killers sped off in the stolen cars, and police launched a major investigation to identify and track down the gunmen.
Mobile phone traffic and CCTV recovery linked Michael and Connor Goodwin aged 26 and 27, Keenan Andreson,25 and Leon Riley, 22 to the cars in the build-up and the aftermath of the killing.
As part of the investigation, detectives uncovered images showing the four celebrating Connor Goodwin’s birthday on the afternoon of August 26 at a pub in Hockley, less than 24 hours after the shooting and while Mr Sargeant lay dying in hospital.
The gun was recovered during a police raid in Derbyshire in November 2019.
Experts from the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) were able to prove it was the same weapon used to kill Mr Sargeant using unique markings on the weapon.
Det Insp Hannah Whitehouse, senior investigating officer, said: “We may never know why Mr Sargeant was murdered, but we have been able to prove that these men acted together, travelling in a convoy of two stolen cars across Birmingham to go to Rickman Drive, where Anthony Sargeant was shot.
“They have shown no remorse, denying the offence throughout.”
Mr Sargeant’s family said: “Almost four years ago, my son, our father, brother and uncle was murdered as he innocently walked down the road outside his mother’s home.
“Today after sitting through months of trial, we finally have justice for him although it will never be enough.
“However, we still have to live through a lifetime of pain and heartache of him being taken away from his family.
“Eight fatherless children now finding their way through life without their provider, teacher and superhero.
“Anthony was such a bubbly, energetic, witty soul and we will do everything to ensure he is not forgotten.”
Ian Head, NABIS head of intelligence, governance and international development, said firearms often move around the UK, from place to place and from crime group to crime group.
He added: “Evidence recovered from scenes allows NABIS to forensically link firearms that have been used in previous shootings.
“Upon receiving the evidence into our facilities NABIS forensic experts are able to connect scenes using state-of-the-art technology.
“Firearms have unique markings in a similar manner to fingerprints that enable this forensic examination to take place.
“NABIS analysts then disseminate this ballistic intelligence to Senior Investigating Officers to assist with convictions as in this case.”
Michael and Connor Goodwin of Wallace Road, Oldbury, Keenan Anderson of Albert Road, Handsworth, and Leon Riley of Bridgelands Way, Perry Barr, were all found guilty of murder at Birmingham Crown Court.
They will be sentenced at the same court at a later date.
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