Man charged in connection with discharge of firearm in Lechlade

A 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with the discharge of a firearm in Lechlade on Monday night (20 April).

Ben Reynolds, of Springfield Road in Quenington, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of a shotgun without a certificate.

The charges relate to an incident on Monday on Butler's Field, with police called at around 7.10pm to a report a man had shot another man who was sat stationary in his vehicle.

The victim, a man aged in his 30s, managed to drive a short distance before entering a property where he was located by emergency services.

There was a search for the offender and a man was arrested later that evening in Fairford.

Following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges.

Reynolds appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court earlier today (Wednesday 22 April) and he has been remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday (24 April).

The victim sustained serious injuries in the incident and he remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Inspector Philippa Moore, from the Cotswolds Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "I don't underestimate how frightening this incident would have been for those involved and living nearby.

"My team will continue to carry out reassurance patrols and I'd encourage anyone with concerns to speak to our neighbourhood team.

“My colleagues in CID have worked tirelessly investigating this incident since it happened in order to secure charges quickly, with a suspect now remanded in custody and facing court proceedings. I hope that brings some reassurance to those who have been impacted by what's happened.”

The Force made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to prior police contact with those involved in the incident.

However, the IOPC has since referred the matter back to the Force to handle in a reasonable and proportionate manner, with no formal direction to investigate.

Criminal proceedings are now active against Reynolds and police would like to remind people there must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that may in any way prejudice these proceedings.

Anyone with information on the incident or anyone who has any dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage is asked to contact police.

You can provide information to investigating officers online by completing the following form and quoting incident 417 of 20 April: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/