Fast-time investigation leads to conviction of teenager who fired gun in Chelsea

A teenager who recklessly discharged a gun towards two members of the public in Chelsea has been jailed.

Leon Redda – 19 (08.04.05) of Stanley Gardens, W11 was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 3 May. He had pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how Redda was the pillion passenger on a stolen moped that was ridden into the World’s End Estate, SW10 on 18 June 2023.

Redda – in possession of a handgun – fired two shots apparently randomly at two members of the public. Luckily no one was injured as a result of the shooting.

Detectives carried out a fast-time analysis of CCTV from the local area and managed to track Redda’s movements as the moped was ridden to a nearby path close to the River Thames. The moped was abandoned there before Redda threw the helmet he was wearing into the water before fleeing.

Redda was subsequently arrested and his phone was seized. Analysis of data contained on it enabled detectives to place him at the scene at the time of the shooting.

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.”