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Whitstable shooting: Barry Chambers and Andrew Williams jailed after man shot on Westmeads Recreation Ground

By: Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Published: 17:00, 01 May 2020

Updated: 21:36, 01 May 2020

Dramatic CCTV footage reveals the moments just before and after a man was gunned down in a recreation park shooting.

A video clip released by police shows Barry Chambers and his uncle Andrew Williams stalking their 22-year-old victim in Whitstable, before the latter pulled the trigger.

CCTV footage from nearby the scene

They are then seen fleeing the scene, leaving the man bleeding on the ground with a bullet wound in the back of his leg.

The footage was released today as the pair were jailed for a combined total of more than 15 years.

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The attack, which happened on July 7 last year, followed a long-running dispute between the victim and Chambers, 23, who alleged he was owed money.

The victim and his girlfriend had been walking along a Whitstable street when Chambers, driving a white transit van also containing his uncle, careered towards them with music blaring.

Barry Chambers. Picture: Kent Police (34224535)

Realising they were being filmed on a mobile phone, the men drove away.

But they soon armed themselves with an antique handgun, before returning to find their victim at Westmeads Recreation Ground.

Chambers tracked down his target and became hostile, before Williams emerged from behind a bush. Reaching into his pocket, he barked at the victim to "stand still".

As the young man turned to run, he saw a flash of smoke coming from Williams’ hand. He had been shot in the knee.

“I could feel a sharp pain and I was unable to walk properly - my vision was going blurry,” the victim told the jury at the trial in December.

Andrew Williams. Picture: Kent Police (34224533)

Armed police, paramedics and an air ambulance were scrambled to the scene, and the victim was rushed to the William Harvey hospital.

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CCTV footage later reviewed by police shows Chambers, Williams, and a 16-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, getting out of Chambers' silver Ford Focus shortly before the shooting.

The men walk into the park, with Williams clearly seen carrying the weapon. A short time later, the same cameras capture them running from the area and getting into the parked vehicle.

Two days after the assault, Williams visited Canterbury Police Station and told officers he had wrapped the firearm in socks and hidden it in bushes in Thornden Close, Herne Bay.

Chambers handed himself in nine days later.

An air ambulance at the scene on July 7 last year

Chambers, 23, denied conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm but was found guilty following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, while Williams admitted his role.

At today's sentencing Nigel Riley, defending Williams told how the 53-year-old, who has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, had been actively involved with the church and with Alcoholics Anonymous.

Mr Riley said: "He wants to put his past of drug abuse and crime behind him. He has had a long period of reflection in custody since last July."

But to Williams, Recorder Jeffrey Yearwood said: "This case took place in broad daylight, in the afternoon on a sunny summer's day.

"Clearly some thought had gone into what it was he would do. You had taken that gun, having the intention to use it to shoot another human being.

A still from CCTV footage. Picture: Kent Police (34224531)

"It's an extremely serious offence. You acknowledge that you could in fact have killed him."

He added that Williams, who had "little to gain" from the attack, had shown "a level of planning and determination" to see it through. "You did not, it seems to me, take much persuading to get involved in this shooting," he said.

Defending Chambers, lawyer Julia Mackworth argued he is "not a future risk to the public," as she read glowing character references submitted by his partner, aunt, and neighbour.

She also told how the dad-of-two had been a "model" inmate during his time in custody, mentoring other prisoners and helping to diffuse violent situations.

But in sentencing him, Recorder Yearwood said: "I am concerned the public is still very much at risk if you are let back into the community. I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever that you won't pose a real, serious risk of harm to the public at large.

A still from CCTV footage. Picture: Kent Police (34224529)

Describing the assault as "a revenge attack", he added: "You had in fact been looking for the victim for some months. There was clearly nothing accidental about this.

"You drove at him fast. When you failed to catch him you went with Mr Williams and got the gun. You changed vehicle and went searching for the victim."

Both men appeared by video link from HMP Elmley today.

Williams, of no fixed address, admitted both conspiracy to cause GBH and possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to eight years and six months, and will serve an additional two years on licence upon his release.

Chambers, of Walmer Road, Whitstable denied conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. He was sentenced to seven years and will also serve an additional two years on licence following his release.

The 16-year-old boy who was also present during the assault was found not guilty of being involved in the conspiracy.

Det Sgt Jason Booth, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "The victim of this case was subjected to a traumatic ordeal and it is only down to chance that his injuries did not leave him with a severe disability.

"I am pleased that we have secured justice for him and that two dangerous offenders are now in prison, where they are unable to cause further harm to the public."

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable

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