Two men involved in the shooting of a man with a sawn-off shotgun at close range through the window of a van have received long prison sentences.

Billy Merryweather, 22, of Wentworth Avenue, Slough was sentenced at Reading Crown Court today to a total of 24 years’ imprisonment.

He was convicted of attempted murder, as well as one count of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence at the same court on September 29.

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Michael Omitiran, 23, formerly of Webb Close, Slough, was sentenced to a total of 13 years imprisonment after being convicted of one count each of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence. He was found not guilty of attempted murder at the hearing on September 29.

On March 26, the victim, a 26-year-old man, was sitting in a van in Wentworth Avenue in the Britwell Estate with a friend.

Merryweather and Omitiran approached the vehicle and Merryweather fired a gunshot through the window, hitting the victim in the shoulder. The pair then fled the scene.

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The victim, who was known to the offenders, was taken to hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound.

Merryweather and Omitiran were arrested on April 8 and charged on April 10.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a violent and utterly irresponsible incident, which put a number of people in danger, and which was intended to result in a loss of life.

“Merryweather set out that evening to kill his victim, and it is only through luck that this did not occur.

“He is an extremely dangerous offender, who is quite prepared to commit offences like this, literally on his own doorstep.

“He and Omitiran also showed a shocking and blatant disregard for the safety of other members of the public by discharging further shots across Wentworth Avenue as the victim fled.

“These sentences are a result of the excellent work of the investigation and prosecution teams who built and presented a compelling case to the jury, even without the victim’s support or co-operation and despite clear attempts by Merryweather and Omitiran’s family and friends to frustrate our enquiries."