Shots were fired over an occupied car as a dispute erupted between two rival drug gangs

18:49, 29 Apr 2026Updated 20:23, 29 Apr 2026

Three Birmingham men have been jailed after a ‘child’s car seat was hit’ in the crossfire of a turf war shooting in a Worcestershire town.

Deago Martin, Keelan Brookes and Kaine Simmonds, all from the UK’s second city, were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court today (April 29) after tensions flared between two rival drug gangs.

Police were called to Ombersley Close, Redditch after reports of gun shots being heard at around 1:15pm on March 26, 2024.

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Tensions escalated in the street as Brookes, 21, part of the Frank Line sourcing drugs from Birmingham, was approached by Martin, 22, who ran the Captain line supplying drugs from the city into Redditch.

Brookes had been attempting to encroach on the Captain line territory and, following an exchange of words, both men produced a firearm.

Brookes discharged his gun in the direction of Martin, to which he returned fire, West Mercia Police said.

“Three shots were exchanged over an occupied car, and bullets penetrated the rear of the vehicle and hit an unoccupied child seat. Thankfully, the two people in the car were not injured,” the force added.

“The investigation established the shooting stemmed from a turf dispute between two rival drug gangs who were operating in Redditch.”

Both men fled, with Martin discarding his clothing while Brookes was assisted by a “network of associates”. To help him evade capture, they provided him transport and temporary accommodation.

Martin and Brookes showed “no empathy for what they had done” and after their phones were seized, footage showed members of the Frank Line continuing to live a lifestyle funded by drug sales, police said.

Simmonds was sentenced for drug supply and assisting an offender.

At an 11-week trial last year where they were found guilty of the following offences:

  • Martin, of Staffordshire Pool Close, Birmingham was found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was jailed for 16 years for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and a further nine years to run concurrently for the attempted GBH. The Judge classed Martin as a dangerous offender and imposed a life sentence, to serve a minimum of ten years and six months.
  • Brookes, of Ratcliffe Avenue, Birmingham, was found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He received 14 years.
  • Simmonds, 26, of Club View, Birmingham, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of heroin, concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and assisting an offender. He received seven years and eight months.

In December last year three other people were sentenced for their part in the shooting and drug supply.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Arrowsmith said: “It is important to remember the complete disregard Martin and Brookes showed when they discharged firearms without any thought for the potential danger of their actions and the devastation it could have caused.

“I would like to commend the team who worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and their work has exposed two drug lines that supplied drugs into Redditch.

“We know that organised gangs, like the Captain and Frank lines, target and exploit vulnerable people within our communities and the sentencing today will help towards protecting those at risk.”