Teenager who fired gun 'randomly' at two people in Chelsea is jailed
A teenager who “randomly” fired a gun at two people from the back of a moped in Chelsea has been jailed for more than seven years.
Leon Redda 19, was carrying a handgun as he rode pillion on a stolen moped into Chelsea’s World’s End Estate on June 18 last year.
A court heard how the teen fired two shots, apparently randomly, at two members of the public.
A Met detective said it was “only by sheer luck” nobody was injured.
Scotland Yard launched an investigation, and detectives used CCTV footage to track Redda’s movements.
It showed the moped was ridden to a nearby path by the River Thames, where it was abandoned and Redda threw the helmet he was wearing into the river before fleeing.
Redda, from Stanley Gardens in Notting Hill, was arrested by officers.
Analysis of data on his mobile phone also helped detectives to place him at the scene at the time of the shooting.
He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday (May 3).
Detective Constable Katherine Newton from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Redda’s actions were unbelievably reckless and it is only by sheer luck no one was injured in this incident.
“Following a meticulous investigation and faced by the evidence gathered, Redda took the decision to plead guilty at court.
“I can only hope this sends a strong message to those engaged in criminality involving firearms that the Met is committed to tracking offenders down and placing them before the courts.”
