Moment gunshots ring out in quiet suburban street and shatter window of family home – as trio are jailed for 62 years for attempted murder

This is the terrifying moment thugs fired gunshots at a family home in a botched murder plot with three men being jailed for more than 60 years in total.

CCTV captured three shots being blasted at the upstairs and downstairs windows of the house in Perry Barr, Birmingham.

Shomari Mapp, Shaquon Richardson-Bowen and Aairus Rehman arrived on the road in a stolen Skoda at around 11pm on May 18 last year.

Rehman opened fire at the home of Eian and Helena Lothian, with the former hit by shattered glass from an upstairs window. 

During the shooting, a camera at the front of the address was damaged in attempt to conceal the identities of the gang.

A brick was also thrown at the windscreen of a parked car near the property.

The thugs then drove off from the scene before torching the stolen car.

Mrs Lothian had been out at the time, having been followed by the trio earlier, but now has a permanent memory of the incident in the shape of a bullet mark in the living room sofa where she normally sits.

CCTV captured three shots being blasted at the upstairs and downstairs windows of the house on in Perry Barr, Birmingham

The trio opened fired at the home of Eian and Helena Lothian, with the former hit by shattered glass from an upstairs window

The thugs then drove off from the scene before torching the stolen car

It remains unclear why the three man targeted the address.

Police launched a manhunt and using CCTV, ANPR cameras and mobile phone evidence, were able to identify the gang.

Mapp and Rehman, both 22, and Richardson-Bowen, 21, were arrested and charged for the targeted attack.

Detectives discovered the suspects were together in the hours before the shooting before switching off their phones.

Footage also captured them driving past the home one hour before the attack.

Mapp and Richardson-Bowen, of Birmingham, were found guilty of attempted murder and arson and were each jailed for 20 years.

Rehman, of Birmingham, admitted arson and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at an earlier hearing.

He was also found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of attempted murder and was jailed for 22 years.

Aairus Rehman, of Birmingham, admitted arson and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at an earlier hearing. He was also found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of attempted murder and was jailed for 22 years

Shaquon Richardson-Bowen, of Birmingham, was found guilty of attempted murder and arson and jailed for 20 years

Shomari Mapp was found guilty of attempted murder and arson and also jailed for 20 years

Judge Andrew Smith KC said all three men, who had never previously committed a crime, were ‘dangerous’ but he concluded they did not warrant life or extended sentences due to the length of time they would serve.

He said: ‘This was a planned attempted murder involving the use of a firearm.

‘The nature of the offending alone sustains the conclusion each of you poses a substantial risk of causing serious harm.’  

During the early evening of the attack they carried out reconnaisance trips, including following Mrs Lothian as she left the home for work.

They were then captured on CCTV at a burger shop appearing ‘incredibly relaxed’.

Having turned off their mobile phones they returned to home, with Mapp driving the Skoda.

Rehman, who admitted he was the gunman, shot at three windows of the home.

Richardson-Bowen, who was armed with a knife, got out and damaged a car on the driveway.

Helena Lothian had been out at the time, having been followed by the trio earlier, but now has a permanent memory of the incident in the shape of a bullet mark in the living room sofa where she normally sits

During the shooting, a camera at the front of the address was damaged in attempt to conceal the identities of the gang

A brick was also thrown at the windscreen of a parked car near the property 

The shooting lasted no more than two seconds before the three men left went to a pre-determined location where the car was torched.

They then tried to cover their tracks further by changing mobile numbers. The gun used was not recovered.

The Lothians share the home with their two daughters and grandson.

Mr Lothian said he thought he was going to have a heart attack when glass from the upstairs window of his grandson’s bedroom shattered and struck him.

He described feeling helpless at not being able to protect his family and spoke of the constant worry he had been left with.

Mr Lothian said: ‘I didn’t know any of the defendants. I’m at a loss as to why my family was targeted. We have worked hard and are law-abiding.’

Mrs Lothian said she ‘knew something wasn’t right’ after being followed earlier that evening on her way to work.

She said she was ‘terrified’ of it happening again and could ‘still see the bullet mark on the living room sofa’ where she normally sits.

The shooting lasted no more than two seconds before the three men left went to a pre-determined location where the car was torched

Mrs Lothian added family members were now reluctant to visit as she described feeling scared ‘all the time’.

Judge Smith said: ‘The motive for the attack on the home has never been revealed by the evidence.

‘I am certain there was absolutely no reason for Mr and Mrs Lothian to be targeted in the way they were.’

Detective Inspector Francis Nock, from West Midlands Police Major Crimes Unit, said: ‘The shooting required immense planning by the offenders.

‘They conducted careful reconnaissance of the location and clearly planned both the shooting itself and how to best cover their tracks afterwards.

‘It’s a miracle someone wasn’t more seriously injured.’

Jasvir Mann, defending Rehman, said he was of low maturity.

He told the court he had worked for Jaguar Land Rover and then Aston Martin, moving up from a vehicle technician to a software engineer.

Judge Andrew Smith KC said all three men, who had never previously committed a crime, were ‘dangerous’ but he concluded they did not warrant life or extended sentences due to the length of time they would serve. Pictured: Birmingham Crown Court

Simon Williams, defending Mapp, said his friends and family had described him as ‘respectful, helpful, honest, trustworthy and talented’.

He told the court he had previously hoped to set up his own business and had maintained a positive attitude despite now facing lengthy imprisonment.

Marie de Redman, for Richardson-Bowen, stated he was on a ‘path of self-destruction’ at the time due his grandmother passing away and struggling to find work.

She said he prioritised ‘loyalty and friendships’ over making positive decisions about his life.

The barrister told the court that he had become a mentor at HMP Birmingham, completed various rehabilitative courses as well as obtained jobs as a wing cleaner and barber.

Finally, she revealed that Richardson-Bowen had said he hoped his punishment offered ‘solace’ to the victims.