Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a third suspect involved in a “mistaken identity” shooting in Gloucester that left a man with life-changing injuries.
According to an official release from Crimestoppers UK, three men travelled from Birmingham to Stanway Road, Gloucester, on 18 January 2024, where a man was shot outside his home. The victim suffered extensive injuries, has undergone several operations, and may still face amputation of his leg.
Two men — Simeon Bernard, 39, and Darren Atkins, 42 — were recently jailed for their involvement. Bernard received 16 years and two months, while Atkins was sentenced to 12 years and seven months, following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.
In a victim impact statement read in court, the man said the attack had “robbed” him of his ability to live a normal life with his family:
“This experience has robbed my ability to be close with my loved ones,” he said. “I have not been able to share a bed with my wife since it happened. I cannot play with my young daughter, go out on day trips or help out around the house. All of these things, these moments that made my life what it was, were stolen from me that night by these men.”
After the shooting, the suspects reportedly fled on two motorbikes back to Birmingham, where the third man allegedly took a local taxi from Atkins’ home and was dropped at the junction of Churchill Road and Morris Avenue in Walsall.
Beth Simpson, Gloucestershire regional manager at Crimestoppers, said:
“This is an alarming case where someone has been shot and seriously injured, and this is why our charity has now become involved. We believe there are people who know who else was involved but who feel that going to the police is not an option.”
The £20,000 reward is available for information given exclusively to Crimestoppers that leads to the conviction of the third suspect. Information can be provided 100% anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.
DM News Commentary
This case highlights the potential misuse of local taxi services by offenders trying to evade police after serious crimes. While drivers are often unaware of passengers’ backgrounds, the story reinforces why cooperation between taxi operators, booking platforms, and law enforcement is vital to prevent criminal exploitation of the trade.
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