Two Criminals Jailed Following Gun and Knife Attack

Two thugs were locked up today after admitting their involvement in a serious firearms and knife attack in Chadderton.

McCauley Brooker (24), of Eccles and Stephen Wilson (29), from Salford were handed their sentences at Manchester Crown Court. 

Wilson was charged with Section 18 Assault and having a bladed article in his possession, whilst Brooker was sentenced for Section 18 Assault too, as well as firearms offences. 

Wilson was sentenced to 12 years and four months imprisonment, while Brooker received seven years and a month imprisonment. 

The court heard how on the evening of Wednesday, May 22, 2024, officers were alerted to an incident on Busk Road in Chadderton. 

Pictured above: Stephen Wilson.

It had transpired that Wilson had visited the Royal Oldham Hospital A&E department with serious injuries that were confirmed to be gunshot wounds to his arms. 

Through initial CCTV enquiries, detectives established that a disturbance took place on Busk Road, with footage showcasing the full incident.

Whilst Brooker was found at the scene having suffered from stab wounds. Both men were attacking each other at the time, receiving substantial injuries, where Wilson used a machete, and Brooker used a gun to inflict injuries to each other. 

Following further investigation both men were later arrested and subsequently charged.  

This was after officers from the specialised Major Incident Team conducted further warrants in Abergele, North Wales to track those responsible down or who had further involvement. 

During the trial, Brooker tried to claim self-defence but was quashed due to having in his possession a viable firearm, despite being chased by a group from the direction of Chancery Street onto Busk Road. 

A tussle followed on the floor before three to six discharges were made, with CCTV footage gathered helping detectives to unpick the full circumstances. 

On the result, DS Smeeton said: “Today’s results show that despite the nature of the incident, those involved had access to and chose to inflict serious injury and violence on a street in Oldham. 

“This obviously carried a heightened threat, and it is a miracle no innocent members of the public were caught in the crossfire and that Brooker and Wilson survived the attack with the injuries they sustained. 

“Our investigation was focused on finding those responsible and sending a clear message that if you choose to arm yourself you carry a huge risk to your own personal safety but will also have to answer for the consequences of those actions. 

“There is no justification for arming yourself with a weapon and as a force we continue to tackle all forms of serious violence, seizing more weapons than ever before and taking a proactive stance to keeping communities safe.”