A “jealous and insecure” boyfriend and the girlfriend he persuaded to meet her ex-partner so he could shoot him have been jailed.
Daniel Gaudin and Shannon Rule travelled by train from Waltham Forest to Merton on June 22, 2021.
After Rule spoke to the man, Gaudin appeared and shot him several times in front of terrified onlookers, leaving him with life-changing injuries.
The pair appeared at Kingston Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday (April 5).
Rule, 22, of Ashwood Road, Chingford, was jailed for 30 years.
Gaudin, 23, of Cranleigh Close, Waltham Cross, was jailed for 27 years, with an additional two year extended licence.
Rule was found guilty and Gaudin pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
The court heard that Rule had been in a relationship with both the victim and Gaudin but the two men did not know each other.
Gaudin became aware of the other man and sent several threatening texts to him.
Matters escalated dramatically when Gaudin enlisted Rule to lure the man to a meeting near his home in Morden, where he would then shoot him.
The unknowing victim agreed, believing he would meet Rule alone to discuss the situation.
Rule met the victim before Gaudin appeared and shot him multiple times without warning.
Scores of people watched the incident unfold.
Police were called just after 2pm to Central Road, at the junction with Abbotsbury Road.
The victim was rushed to hospital by London Ambulance Service paramedics.
He requires ongoing treatment to this day.
Gaudin and Rule had fled the scene immediately after the shooting, but their escape route actually led them back towards the scene of the crime.
Stationed firearms officers saw the suspects, arrested them and they were taken into custody and interviewed.
Rule denied knowing that Gaudin had a gun or that he intended to shoot the victim.
Her lies quickly unravelled when officers discovered an array of texts she had sent to the victim warning him about Gaudin and that he was in possession of a firearm.
Detectives also gathered CCTV, witness and forensic evidence that also placed them both at the scene. Gaudin was left with no choice but to plead guilty.
Det Insp Iain Wallace, who led the investigation, said: "The sentences handed down show how seriously the judge deemed the actions of Rule and Gaudin.
“Our thoughts foremost are with the young man whose life was changed in an instant following a shocking and utterly needless act of wanton violence, born out of Gaudin's sheer jealousy and insecurity.
"He had no idea of what would unfold that day and the terrible injuries he sustained will mean he needs assistance for the rest of his life. I hope the convictions we have seen today will allow he and his family some small measure of comfort.
"Gaudin and Rule have paid the price for their ruthless, calculated attack with their freedom. There is no place for violence on our streets and anyone concerned in such violence can be assured that the Met will stop at nothing to bring offenders to justice."
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