A Newcastle Crown Court has handed a 24 year jail sentence each to two brothers who tried to murder an innocent woman with a shotgun.
Thomas and James Lee, 21 and 27, shot Emma Robinson while she was making cottage pie in her home in Westerhorpe, Newcastle, on October 3. 26 hours later, the Lees shot at their cousin, Jordan King.
Testifying in court, prosecutors told the court;
‘On October 3 in the afternoon, Thomas Lee was seen outside his father’s address screaming in anger and saying on the phone: “I’ve done people’s knees before, I’ve used a gun.”
‘It appears these two shootings were carried out for revenge and
because they were cross.’
The reason for the brothers’ violence has not been proven but it is believed they were trying to get revenge on Miss Robinson’s son, with who they had reportedly been in an argument with after their windows had been broken.
The shooting left Miss Robinson with terrible scars on her arm, shoulder and back which she feels self-conscious about.
The long sentences came after the court heard Miss Robinson detail how it felt to be shot in her own home.
She said;
‘I was making cottage pie in the kitchen, facing the microwave.
‘I heard a loud noise, like a bang but I don’t know what type of bang but I could hear the glass at the same time.
‘I felt something hit the side of my face and I turned round and it’s
obviously caught my back.‘I went straight through to the living room. There was glass everywhere. I was in shock at the time. It more sinks in afterward when you think it could’ve been really serious this.’
Trauma of the attack has also left the mum struggling with anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Robinson added;
‘When I’m alone at night I keep thinking about what happened and how much worse my injuries could have been.
‘I keep thinking to myself what would have happened to my children if my injuries had been any worse. I already rely on my mother and don’t think she could have coped if she had to look after me or if I was not there at all.’
The Lees were cleared of trying to kill Mr King on October 5 but convicted of attempting to wound him with their shotgun.
James was also found guilty of possessing ammunition when prohibited as he had bullets despite being banned from doing so within five years of his last imprisonment – for religious or racially aggravated harassment in 2017.
