A court found three men guilty of murdering Barry Dawson, a 60-year-old grandfather shot dead through his living room window in Stanley, County Durham. Sean Reay (30), Kelvin Lawson (38), and Thomas Sterling (22) were convicted at Teesside Crown Court on Friday following a four-week trial.
The attack
On the afternoon of April 5, Reay killed Dawson by firing a fatal shot through the downstairs window of his home on Elm Street in South Moor. Lawson smashed the window while Sterling was present at the scene. The three men fled in a Seat Arona, which police later found partly burned out.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Fuller said: "These men set out that afternoon armed with a gun. They had a plan, they wanted revenge." He added: "Barry Dawson was an innocent man who should have been safe in his own home, but they killed him in broad daylight."
The shooting followed threats made against Reay's house earlier that day. Reay claimed during the trial he intended to frighten someone he believed would be at the Elm Street address, but prosecutors argued Dawson was deliberately targeted.
Police identified Reay as the gunman who fired from close range. He later fled to Northern Ireland.
Police response
Fuller emphasized: "There is no place for guns on the streets of County Durham and Darlington, and we take a zero-tolerance approach to tackling and bringing to justice those who choose to carry such weapons." He thanked the investigation team and said his thoughts remain with those who cared about Dawson.
Additional convictions
The court acquitted two other men, Keith Dorward (48) and Kevin Dorward (38), of murder and manslaughter but they admitted perverting the course of justice by attempting to destroy the getaway vehicle. Michaela Hetherington (36) also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Sentencing for all convicted individuals will be set at a later date.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
