Pair Convicted of Honeytrap Shooting in Morden
Jealous boyfriend gunned down love rival in broad daylight
Several sick and mistreated puppies were found at Wimbledon flat. Picture: RSPCA
January 2, 2023
A man and a woman have been convicted of shooting a man multiple times in broad daylight on a Morden street leaving him with injuries from which is not expected to fully recover.
Shannon Rule, 22, of Ashwood Road, Chingford and Daniel Gaudin, 23, of Cranleigh Close, Waltham Cross travelled from Essex to meet with a 25-year-old man.
Gaudin had previously become aware that the man was also in a relationship with Rule at the same time as him and sent a number of threatening texts to his rival. Eventually he persuaded Rule to lure him to a meeting near the victim’s home in Morden.
Unaware that it was a trap, the victim agreed, believing he would meet Rule alone to discuss the situation. On Tuesday, June 22, Rule met the victim on Central Road at the junction with Abbotsbury Road before Gaudin appeared and shot him multiple times without warning in front of horrified onlookers.
Police rushed to the scene along with paramedics, where they found the victim in critical condition. He was taken to hospital with what are described as severe and life-changing injuries for which he is continuing to receive treatment.
Gaudin and Rule had fled immediately after the shooting but got confused and doubled back towards the scene of the crime, where firearms officers spotted them and arrested them.
Rule told police that she had no idea Gaudin was carrying a gun, but later investigation showed that she had sent messages to the victim warning him that Gaudin possessed a firearm and was planning to shoot him.
Along with CCTV and forensic evidence, Gaudin was faced with no option but to plead guilty but Rule, who had entered a not guilty plea, was found guilty of attempted murder following a trial at Kingston Crown Court on 22 December.
Detective Inspector Iain Wallace, the officer who led the investigation, said, "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 him and his family some small measure of comfort.
"Gaudin and Rule will now pay 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."
Gaudin and Rule are due to be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on 19 January.
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