Trio Jailed for Over 43 Years After Violent Redruth Attack

In a significant legal outcome following a violent episode in Redruth, three men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 43 years in prison. The incident, which unfolded on July 6, 2023, involved a frenzied attack leaving two men severely injured. The sentencing took place at Truro Crown Court on January 30, after a two-week trial that exposed the harrowing details of the crime.

Paul Amoah, 39, of Hawthorn Close, Redruth, received a 27-year sentence for attempted murder, wounding with intent, and aggravated burglary. His co-defendants, Lee Mitchell, 28, of Edmond Road, Redruth, and Gavin Smale, 44, of Fore Street, Redruth, were sentenced to nine and seven years, respectively, for their roles in the attack. Mitchell was found guilty of two counts of wounding with intent and aggravated burglary, while Smale was convicted of unlawful wounding and aggravated burglary.

The court heard how the trio, armed with a Baretta handgun and a hammer, broke into a property on Drump Road. Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the prosecution, showing the men arriving at and fleeing from the scene. Inside the house, a violent confrontation ensued, with one victim shot in the back and another bludgeoned with a hammer. A third victim suffered a cut to the head as he barricaded himself in an upstairs room.

The quick response of law enforcement, spearheaded by Detective Inspector Dave Egan and his team, led to the apprehension of the assailants. Crucial evidence, including the handgun and a hammer linked to the attackers through DNA evidence, played a pivotal role in securing the convictions.

The aftermath of the attack left one victim with life-threatening injuries, narrowly avoiding death, and highlighted the grave consequences of gun violence. Detective Inspector Egan emphasised the rarity of firearms offences in the county but warned against the devastating impact of drug-related violence.

Superintendence Ian Thompson, Police Commander of West Cornwall, reassured the community of the rarity of such severe offences in Cornwall and commended the swift and professional response of the police force. The incident has stirred significant community support and cooperation, reinforcing the importance of public assistance in combating crime.

If you have any information or concerns about someone carrying a weapon, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police online here, or 999 in an emergency.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of armed violence and the judicial system’s commitment to bringing those responsible to justice.