Couple convicted of conspiring to shoot her previous partner after he was left with horrific injuries

A man and woman who conspired to shoot her previous partner in an attack that left him with life-changing injuries have been convicted following an investigation by Specialist Crime detectives.

The now 25-year-old victim was shot multiple times after Daniel Gaudin and Shannon Rule travelled by train from Waltham Forest to Merton to carry out the horrific broad daylight attack in front of terrified onlookers.

On Thursday, Shannon Rule, 22, of Ashwood Road, Chingford, was found guilty of attempted murder following a trial at Kingston Crown Court.

Gaudin, 23, of Cranleigh Close, Waltham Cross, had pleaded guilty to attempted murder at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that Rule had been in a relationship with both the victim and Gaudin. The two men did not know each other.

Gaudin became aware of the other man and sent a number of threatening texts to him.

Matters soon escalated dramatically when Gaudin enlisted Rule to lure the man to a meeting near his home in Morden, where he would then shoot him.

The unknowing victim agreed, believing he would meet Rule alone to discuss the situation.

Gaudin and Rule travelled to Morden where Rule met the victim before Gaudin then appeared and shot him multiple times without warning.

Scores of people watched the incident unfold.

Police were called shortly after 2pm on June 22 to Central Road, at the junction with Abbotsbury Road.

They found the victim and he was rushed to hospital by paramedics.

The injuries he sustained were life-changing and he requires ongoing treatment to this day.

A crime scene had been established and enquiries to locate the suspects began immediately.

Gaudin and Rule had fled the scene immediately after the shooting. However, the route they thought was their escape actually led them back towards the scene of the crime – where stationed firearms officers saw the suspects and arrested them.

The pair were taken into custody and interviewed.

Rule denied knowing that Gaudin had a gun or that he intended to shoot the victim.

Her lies quickly unravelled when officers discovered an array of texts she had sent to the victim warning him about Gaudin, and that he was in possession of a firearm.

Detectives worked diligently to gather a wealth of CCTV, witness and forensic evidence that also placed them both at the scene. Gaudin was left with no choice but to plead guilty.

Gaudin and Rule are due to be sentenced at Kingston Crown court on January 19, 2023.

Detective Inspector Iain Wallace, the officer who led the investigation, said: “Our thoughts foremost are with the young man whose life was changed in an instant following a shocking and utterly needless act of wanton violence, born out of Gaudin’s sheer jealousy and insecurity.

“He had no idea of what would unfold that day and the terrible injuries he sustained will mean he needs assistance for the rest of his life.

“I hope the convictions we have seen today will allow he and his family some small measure of comfort.

“Gaudin and Rule will now pay the price for their ruthless, calculated attack with their freedom.

“There is no place for violence on our streets and anyone concerned in such violence can be assured that the Met will stop at nothing to bring offenders to justice.”

Pictured top: Daniel Gaudin (Picture: The Met)