Greenwich gunman jailed for 17 years

The heroics of two doormen, in wrestling the balaclava from Scott and making his identification, ultimately led to the jailing of the 29-year-old from Tourmont Road in Plumstead.

He was sentenced to 17 years at Woolwich Crown Court last Friday.
Judge Charles Byers praised the pursuers - Theo Yatcham and Tieomoko Sidibe - whose efforts were all the more daring because a getaway car was bearing down on them.

Rewarding them £1,000 each, Judge Byers said: "That was bravery often not seen on the streets of this country. I take the view the public owes them a debt of gratitude and they played a great part in bringing this man to justice."

The scene, that night on February 20 last year, began with an accusation of drug use - which was never proved or brought to court - made by a fellow pub-goer at the Greenwich High Road venue.

Ordered to leave by the security team, Scott lashed out, punching one of them to the ground.

The altercation spilled outside and CCTV cameras next caught Scott's girlfriend helping him off the ground.

The prosecution said that over the next hour Scott went to a flat which contained guns and ammunition, returning later to the pub with an accomplice in a getaway car.

He fired six shots, one hitting head of security Marcel Theodhori in the leg, another hitting the leg of the bar owner and a third landing in the foot of a female customer.

Judge Charles Byers, said: "You behaved in a manner which was not only dangerous but also life threatening.

"You discharged in the region of six bullets and hit three people causing them serious injuries and it is merciful you did not do more damage.

"In such circumstances it was only accident in my mind that you didn't kill someone."

Scott fled to the waiting getaway car but the two doorman gave chase. In the struggle they pulled off his balaclava. Scott made his escape but was arrested the following day.

Police found a key to a flat in Woolwich Arsenal on him , which contained a shotgun and bullets, as well as a balaclava which had his DNA on it.

Scott initially denied the charges but changed his plea to guilty.

In mitigation, defence barrister Matthew McDonagh said: "He has children and a loving family who he is supported by.

"This is a man with a future who has recognised he has done wrong when he admitted this offence."

Sentencing him to 17 years, Judge Byers said: "The public are rightly concerned at the level of firearms used in instances of these sort on the streets of this country and the sentence I pass on you not only reflects that but tries to send a clear message to those that are tempted to carry out such acts that they will suffer a severe punishment."

Scott received 11 years for each wounding and six for grievous bodily harm, to be served concurrently.

He also received up to six years for possession of firearms with intent, to be served consecutively.