E-bike gunman who blasted driver in the chest through car window guilty of firearm offence — but cleared of attempted murder

William Scammell admitted in court that he planned to fire into the car, yet a Bristol Crown Court jury has cleared him of attempted murder. The 25-year-old rode a motorised e-bike behind and then alongside a Volkswagen Polo in Speedwell on 1 April with a loaded sawn-off shotgun. He fired a shot that hit 24-year-old Ryan Cridland in the left side of the chest.

Detective Chief Inspector Jess Aston calls it 'an isolated incident involving individuals known to one another'.

Scammell, of no fixed address, was arrested in the early hours of the following day.

'People have a right to feel safe,' Aston said, defending the resources firearms cases draw.