Man guilty of firing gunshots
AMAN accused of firing gunshots in an act of revenge in a “drugs turf war” has been found guilty.
Alfie Larkin, 24, shot a Grand Power firearm outside an address in Cardiff on January 12, 2019, after he was allegedly stabbed with a machete the year before.
Gunshot holes were later discovered in a motor home parked in Greenway Road, Rumney, as well as vehicles parked in the driveway of the address. Cartridges and ammunition were also located.
The weapon was discovered at the bottom of a plant pot filled with concrete – where it had been hidden by Larkin’s friend and accomplice Rachel Crothers.
Yesterday, the defendant was found guilty of possessing a firearm with the intention to cause fear of violence, following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court which began on April 19.
The guilty verdict was that of a majority – with 10 jurors against two – with deliberations lasting around 11 hours and 45 minutes.
Prosecutor Susan Ferrier previously told the trial a Volkswagen Passat insured by Larkin was being driven in the “vicinity” of the incident at the time of the shooting.
Around an hour later night the defendant removed the vehicle from his insurance policy in order, Ms Ferrier said, to “cut off” any links to potential evidence.
Larkin, originally from London but living in Cardiff, was arrested a week later and two iPhones were seized by police, along with cash separated into £1,000 bundles and around £6,000 worth of designer clothes and footwear.
The defendant was released on bail but “valuable” drug supply phone lines were found by officers on the phones.
Larkin was later detained on arrival back to the UK after a flight from Iceland in February 2019.
Teacher training student Crothers, 21, of Caerphilly, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and perverting the course of justice.
Judge Michael Fitton QC adjourned Larkin and Crothers’ sentencing for a report to be prepared in relation to Larkin’s dangerousness.
Sentencing will take place on an as-yet-to-be-identified date this year.