A chilling incident of attempted murder has been brought to justice at Leicester Crown Court, where Jermain Carty, a notorious gang member, was handed down a minimum 14-year prison sentence for shooting security guard Aaron Waller three times. The attack, which occurred in March 2007, left the then-22-year-old Waller fighting for his life after he was evicted from Loughborough University's students' union event by Carty.
Carty, a member of the Birmingham gang the Johnson Crew, was convicted of attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. His record of convictions prior to this incident included robbery, gun possession, and drug dealing, illustrating his history of violent offending. Judge Michael Pert QC labelled Carty as an 'arrogant young man', driven by a desire for retribution in the face of perceived slight.
Waller, now back at university studying business, has made a remarkable recovery from his injuries and is on track to complete his degree on schedule. However, he remains visibly shaken by the experience, describing the attack as 'vicious' and 'unbelievably painful'. In a victim impact statement, Waller voiced his enduring fear and anger at being shot, expressing relief that Carty had been brought to justice.
The sentencing marks a significant victory for law enforcement in combating gang-related violence in the region. As the community continues to rebuild and recover from the aftermath of this incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of such crimes.