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Exclusive: Leeds 'kneecapping' gun gang driver jailed
A getaway driver helped two brothers carry out a kneecapping of a rival in a Leeds street.
Rajveer Duggal was jailed for 12 years yesterday for his part in the shooting on Lingfield Gate, Moortown.
Brothers Leyon and Lloyd Randall are already serving life sentences for the attack in which Geovanie Meade was shot in the leg at point blank range with a sawn-off shotgun.
Duggal, 25, of Moor Allerton Way, Moor Allerton, Leeds, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent after a trial last month.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the shooting was ordered by Leyon Randall from his prison cell in HMP Dovegate, in Staffordshire.
The Randalls and Mr Meade knew each other as they had been in prison together.
The shooting, on May 9 last year, took place after a woman lured Mr Meade back to his flat at 2.30am.
When he went to the address he was approached by two men. Lloyd Randall then pulled out the weapon and shot him in the leg.
Mr Meade may have to have his leg amputated.
Analysis of Lloyd Randall's mobile phone showed he had travelled from his home in south Leeds to Moortown and was near Lingfield Gate at the time of the shooting.
Duggal's phone showed he had set off from home to Lloyd Randall's
address and then onto the scene of the shooting before heading back to Randall's address.
The prosecution said the travelling pattern supported the claim he was
the getaway driver.
Duggal also pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition after officers found 30 cartridges in a bedside cabinet when they arrested him at his home.
The court heard how, after his conviction, Duggal told the probation service: "This is a cruel world we live in. This is how things are. People should get used to it."
Alun Jones, for Duggal, described the Randall brothers as "more criminally sophisticated" than his client.
Mr Jones said: "He was the getaway driver. He did not cause that significant harm. He could have become involved in the shooting but he didn't."
He said he was from a hard-working and respectable family.
He added: "Mr Duggal has some ability and some talent and has a future far in front of him. Sadly, he realises that will have to be on hold for some time."
Jailing him, judge Geoffrey Marson told Duggal: "You were recruited as the driver and it is quite apparent from the jury's verdict you knew what was going to happen."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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