Man Sentenced for Role in Remote Lincolnshire Shooting

Michael Watling, 37, has been sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison for his involvement in a shooting incident that occurred in a secluded Lincolnshire village. Watling admitted to being in close proximity to the individual who fired a weapon at another man at a property located on Thorpe Bank, Little Steeping, around 01:00 BST on May 25. Lincoln Crown Court was informed that the victim, a man in his 30s, sustained a serious leg injury after being shot with a shotgun. Watling, whose address is Guard House Avenue, Keighley, was initially charged with attempted murder. However, this charge was withdrawn after he entered a guilty plea to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The court heard that a warning shot was discharged through the front door of the residence. The victim, who was visiting his brother at the time, then went outside to investigate the disturbance. Upon stepping out onto the drive, the victim encountered a man who was described as grinning and carrying a shotgun, according to testimony presented in court. The victim attempted to flee but was shot in the leg. Subsequently, more than 90 pellets were recovered from his body. It was stated in court that the victim had no connection to the dispute and was simply “in the wrong place at wrong time.” While Watling did not personally pull the trigger of the firearm, forensic analysis of the jacket he was wearing confirmed his close proximity to the scene at the time of the incident. The victim, who attended the court proceedings, has undergone extensive surgery. He expressed being “fed up” with his ongoing medical issues and articulated his desire for his life to return to normal. During the sentencing, Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight addressed Watling, stating: “Their nights’ fun was shattered by you and your associates who went to the property with a firearm.” She added, “As he lay there defenceless he was sure he was going to be killed.” Following the sentencing, Lincolnshire Police confirmed that, as of this date, no other individuals have been charged in connection with the shooting. Detective Superintendent Richard Myszczyszyn commented: “The sentencing sends a clear message that violent crimes, especially those involving firearms, will not be tolerated.” He further stated, “The meticulous investigation and subsequent conviction highlight our commitment to ensuring justice for victims and making Lincolnshire the safest place to live, work, and visit.”