Teen Jailed for Six Years Over Attempted Murder Shooting
Kai Smith, 19, from Villiers Close, has been locked up for six years for his part in a terrifying attempted murder attack in Castledale Croft back in 2021. Smith was just 17 when the shooting took place.
Gun Attack on Residential Street
On the evening of 6 January 2021, police rushed to reports of gunfire at Castledale Croft in the heart of the Manor. The intended target was a 23-year-old man, but his mother was hit first, suffering wounds to her shoulder, face, and head. She needed hospital treatment after the horror.
The violence followed a bitter argument earlier on Hastillar Road South between the victim and two men — Connor Hadi and Bradley Jenkins.
Smith’s Role and the Chase
Detective Superintendent Paul Murphy revealed that Hadi and Jenkins drove a stolen black Nissan Qashqai with fake number plates. The pair opened fire recklessly on a group including the 23-year-old victim. Smith was with them at the time.
The trio fled the scene on foot after ditching their getaway car. An off-duty police officer nearby heard the gunshots and spotted the abandoned vehicle, quickly alerting additional units.
Rival gangs soon confronted Smith and his accomplices in another car, leading to more shots fired and the victim sustaining injuries.
Justice Served – Gang Violence Crackdown
Smith admitted multiple firearms offences at Grimsby Crown Court on 28 March and was sentenced the next day. Hadi and Jenkins had already been jailed for attempted murder, racking up a combined 54 years behind bars.
“Smith’s sentence brings the total terms for this shooting to 60 years, which is a great result for the Armed Crime Team here at South Yorkshire Police,” said DCI Murphy. “We’re determined to tackle gang violence and rid our streets of dangerous criminals.”
If you know anything about suspicious or criminal activity, contact police or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
