Gun accused ‘thought he fired blanks’

A MAN who fired four shots of a revolver into a bedroom window in an alleged attempted murder said he thought he was firing blanks.

James Drakes, 34, and his co-defendants Oliver Pearce, 31, and Ricky Webber, 29, are accused of carrying out a “revenge attack” on Lance Keane outside his home in Aberdare on February 1.

Having been driven by Pearce to Mr Keane’s address in Windsor Street, Trecynon, Drakes is accused of firing four times at a bedroom window, causing bullet holes and damage to the ceiling.

All three defendants deny attempting to murder Mr Keane, and claim the incident was an attempt to “scare” the alleged victim, after he threatened Pearce’s father Konrad Pazstor with a knife on January 31.

Drakes, of Edmondes Street, Tylorstown, Ferndale, pleaded guilty to having a firearm with ammunition in a public place, at a trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday.

Pearce, of Ynyslyn Road, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, has also admitted that charge and he and Drakes have also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Webber, of Nythbran Terrace, Porth, denies all the counts he faces.

Giving evidence yesterday, Drakes’ barrister Hilary Roberts asked his client when he first became aware of the gun.

He said: “I remember being really drunk and it just turned up... It became apparent I saw the gun, I didn’t see it on the journey, I went in and spoke to the father and became aware of it. Oliver passed it to me .... At the father’s but I can’t be 100% sure because I was blotto.

“I was too drunk at the time to think... I can’t remember who said but somebody said it was a blank one.”

The three then travelled to Mr Keane’s address in Pearce’s white BMW and Drakes kept the gun on his lap.

When asked by Mr Roberts if he shot the revolver, the defendant said: “Yes I fired the gun... I just intended to scare him.”

Mr Roberts added: “Did you intend to injure Lance Keane or put his life in danger?”

Drakes said: “No never.”

The barrister added: “Did you intend to kill him?”

Drakes said: “Certainly not.”

In cross examination, prosecutor Christopher Rees put it to the defendant he knew Mr Keane was in his bedroom, due to the light of the TV, and had deliberately aimed at Mr Keane with an intent to kill.

The defendant said: “I wouldn’t try to kill anyone or hurt them... Clearly it looks like I’ve done this with live ammunition .... I didn’t think the boys would have a live gun to be honest to you.

“I did do it under the influence of alcohol, I wouldn’t do it daily.”

Mr Rees said: “You knew full well it was live ammunition, and you fired that gun with the intention of killing Lance Keane.”

Drakes said: “That’s absolute nonsense, nobody was going to get killed.”

The trial continues.