Stockton man shot friend in leg over Christmas drug debt row

Ricky Dull pulled out a handgun and shot the man as he walked back into his Stockton home where his heavily pregnant partner and young son were sitting.

The victim, who was wearing his pyjamas at the time of the shooting, initially refused to identify the gunman when he was taken to hospital for treatment to his injured thigh.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the shooting took place at around 1.15pm on Boxing Day after the 34-year-old drove to the victim’s home in a friend’s Land Rover - which was later discovered full of baseball bats.

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A search of a property in Fishburn during Dull’s initial arrest on December 27 resulted in the discovery of a cannabis grow and pepper spray.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said the defendant was re-arrested at a house in Norton, Stockton, on February 25 where officers recovered a Taser, a machete and another can of pepper spray.

He said the .44 handgun had never been recovered but the bullet, which passed straight through the victim’s thigh, was found outside the house on Poppy Lane, Stockton.

"His fiancée made him tell the truth and a nurse called 999, but the victim refused to tell police who had shot him. He was in hospital for three days,” he added.

In a victim impact statement, the man said: “I limp on a daily basis and I get embarrassed when my work colleagues ask me about it. I had to move away from the area and my relationship broke down under the strain.

"I now only see my kids at weekends. I don't wear short trousers or take my kids swimming as I feel embarrassed when people notice my wound."

Ricky Dull (Image: Cleveland Police)

Dull, of Dundas Street in Stockton, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent; the possession of a firearm with intent to cause violence; the possession of ammunition without a certificate; and two counts of the possession of a prohibited weapon.

The defendant read a letter out to the judge apologising for the shooting, he said: “I just want to say I am really, truly sorry to him and his family and hope that one day he can forgive me.

"I'm sorry to my family, to my fiancée and my kids, for what I have done. I promise with all my heart, I'll never be in this situation again.”

Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced Dull to 11 years and one month in prison for all offences.

He said: "You were also engaged in general criminality through your drugs involvement. Because of a dispute over money, you confronted your victim.

"You were there just shy of ten minutes having an argument with him. You shot him point blank in his thigh. That injury has caused ongoing physical and psychological effects.

"You are going to serve a substantial term of imprisonment."

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Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Motson said: “This was a targeted attack on a man on Boxing Day in broad daylight.

"Dull could have caused very serious injury and I’m pleased with the sentence handed to him. He clearly poses a danger to others.

“Such offenders will be dealt with robustly and put before the courts to be brought to justice.”