Little Steeping shooting: Man sentenced

A man who pleaded guilty to wounding with intent has been sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison.

In the early hours of Saturday 25th May 2024, a group of friends were enjoying a few drinks in the hot tub at an address on Thorpe Bank, Little Steeping in Spilsby. A little before 1.15am they had moved into the kitchen when they heard a crash outside. Assuming it was a car window being smashed, they went to the front door to look out and at that point, they heard a gunshot and the glass in the glazed door panels went through, hitting a 34-year-old man in the hand causing a minor injury.

Everyone scrambled back to the kitchen and ducked onto the floor. This is when one of the men realised that one of the other men from the group was not there. He headed outside to the front of the house from a side entrance where he heard another shot, possibly two, and he found the missing man, also 34, lying on the driveway. He had been shot in the leg, so dragged him back into the house where attempts were made to give him first aid. 

At 1.15pm, we started to receive 999 calls stating that a man had been shot and that there were men outside a property with guns, and we immediately dispatched armed officers to attend.

As soon as Police arrived, they administered first aid to the victim and started speaking to everyone at the house to try to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Turn back the clock a few minutes before the incident took place, a witness reported seeing 37-year-old Michael Watling standing near a bush, wearing a black leather jacket, at the driveway to the house.  Then they heard a gunshot and pellets sounding like they were hitting the back of a car, swiftly afterward a black BMW was seen to pull out of the neighbours’ drive and speed off. 

The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment for a single gunshot wound to his leg, from which it is understood that 93 pieces of bullet were removed. He has subsequently undergone a number of surgeries to address the injury sustained. 

Two men, a 32-year-old and 19-year-old, were arrested for the illegal possession of a weapon and were both bailed with conditions pending further investigation. No other individuals have been charged in relation to the offence as it stands.

During a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, 11 November, 37-year-old Michael Watling of Guard House Avenue, Keighley, Bradford pleaded guilty to an offence of Section 18 wounding with intent, claiming to have been part of a group, members of which he knew to be armed. He claims not to have fired a weapon, but to have been nearby when a weapon was discharged. He was sentenced today, Thursday, 12 December to nine years and nine months.

Detective Superintendent Richard Myszczyszyn said, “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that violent crimes, especially those involving firearms, will not be tolerated in Lincolnshire. The meticulous investigation and subsequent conviction highlight our commitment to ensuring justice for victims and making Lincolnshire the safest place to live, work, and visit. I hope this outcome provides some reassurance to those affected by this crime and also our wider communities. 

Pictured: Michael Watling