Two Wirral men sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for firearms offences

Pictured (l-r): Obakeng Sithole; Kai Buckney.

We are welcoming the sentencing of two Wirral men to more than 20 years in prison for firearms offences committed last year.
 
Obakeng Sithole, 20, from Eastham; and Kai Buckney, 20, from New Ferry, were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Friday 14 February.

Sithole (above) was sentenced to 14 years with an extra five years to be served on licence after being found guilty of:
Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and;
Possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence 

Buckney (above) was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty last month to:
Two counts of Possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
 
The charges related to two firearms incidents earlier this year in Wirral.
 
At around 5.05pm on Saturday 11 May, a report was received of two men on an electric bike being sighted in Holt Road, Tranmere. It is believed one of the men was in possession of a firearm, described as having the appearance of a pistol.
 
At around 10.30pm on Tuesday 26 March, officers were called to New Chester Road in New Ferry to reports of shots being fired at 10.05pm.
 
Following extensive investigations, both men were arrested and charged in May.
 
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector John Mullen from our Firearms Investigation Team (FIT) said: “Both Buckney and Sithole are young men willing to use firearms, and did so with a callous disregard for the fear and harm they caused. Both will now serve long jail terms to consider the consequences of their actions.
 
“Their removal from the communities will undoubtedly make Wirral a safer place to be, and serves as a stark reminder to those who would look to bring guns onto the streets. We will relentlessly target those who do so, and do everything in our power to put them before the courts.
 
“Gun crime has decreased significantly in recent years across Merseyside, and this is in no small part down to information provided by those communities affected. 
 
“If you know anything about firearms being stored, carried or used where you are, come forward directly or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and we will do the rest.”