TWO Brit assassins paid £100k by Dubai's "Mr Big" for a gangland hit over an unpaid debt have been jailed for life.
Craig Miller, 37, and Connor Palmer, 40, were contracted to kill a man who owed money to a high-level UK drug dealer.
The victim was blasted five times in his home when a gunman disguised as a Tesco delivery driver turned up on his doorstep in Birmingham.
Jurors were told the man's partner opened the door to the assassin, who donned a high-vis vest and a black ski mask.
He asked: "Are you expecting a delivery?" before adding: "He's here, isn't he".
Bullets were then fired at the "target" in the horror attack back in May 2020.
READ MORE ON UK NEWS
Piers Morgan takes huge swipe at Prince Harry’s ‘privacy campaign’
Girl, 16, found dead in sea as family pay tribute to ‘treasured child’
The victim was left fighting for his life with gunshot wounds to his face, arm and hand.
Despite spending a week in intensive care and it being impossible to remove the bullets, he survived the "movie-like" assassination.
A third man, Elijah Stokes, 38, of Coventry, also played a part in the bungled attempt.
Stokes was described by the judge as a "trusted lieutenant" who was hired by the same Dubai-living criminal.
Most read in The Sun
Piers Morgan takes huge swipe at Prince Harry's 'privacy campaign'
Corrie star confirms soap exit and reveals she’s already filmed final scenes
Five inconsistencies in Prince Harry's testimony after High Court grilling
Awkward moment fans think Ruth Langsford brutally ‘snubbed’ Holly
The "very dangerous" men were previously previously convicted of conspiracy to murder at Birmingham Crown Court.
And on Tuesday, Miller, of Surrey, and Palmer, of south London, were sentenced to life behind bars.
Sentencing, Mr Justice Pepperall said: "The victim came into view in the hallway and the gunman then pursued his prey as he attempted to escape in the front room. Five bullets hit him.
"I am sure that that you Palmer and Miller were professional hitmen working together with another man.
"You were each prepared to kill to order for a fee of £100,000.
"You went about your business with ruthless efficiency showing no compassion whatsoever to your victim.
"He only survived due to the ineptitude of the gunman and extraordinary good luck.
"You were embarrassed that the hit had been bungled."
The court was told the group was caught after police cracked their Encrochat – an encrypted global communication service used by criminals.
Detectives found in the weeks after the failed murder attempt, the dealer in Dubai told Miller he wanted another man to be killed.
He sent a photo with the caption "that's him", to which Miller replied "clips going in his head".
Stokes arranged for the car and gun to be delivered to the hitman, who has never been identified.
Detective Inspector Gemma Currie, of West Midlands Police, said: "The messages we uncovered as part of this investigation make for truly chilling reading and are like something from a movie.
"It was a miracle that the victim of the shooting in Sheldon survived.
"It was thanks to the EncroChat breakthrough that we were unable to unravel this conspiracy to murder.
"The gang thought that they were able to communicate securely about their murderous plans.
"But thanks to the international law enforcement community, we were able to show exactly what they were planning and how they planned it."
Read More on The Sun
I hold the record for visiting over 1,000 Wetherspoon pubs – here’s my top 5
Elegance coach shares the most ugly & tacky sandals to avoid at all costs
Miller was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years while Palmer will serve 23 years.
Stokes was jailed for 27 years.
Source: Read Full Article
