A TRIO was jailed for a combined 21 years following an incident that saw a gun fired in Lakeside Retail Park.

The incident on September 13, 2022, saw Rio Burton-Devine, 24, discharge a firearm towards a group of victims in what was described as a ‘gang feud’.

Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs and seeing smoke emanating from the firearm.

Forrest Bentick, 25, was also at the scene and found with an imitation firearm loaded with three rounds and a knife concealed in his waistband when arrested on October 9.

Both defendants, of no fixed abode, appeared in Basildon Crown Court on August 21 to be sentenced by Judge Shane Collery.

Dominic Bell, prosecuting, said: “Three young men drove to Lakeside Retail Park just before 2pm in a black Mercedes.

“Two of the men went into a store to shop whilst one of the group waited in a Mercedes car.

“Shortly after, a Nissan Juke arrived and parked. Rio Burton-Devine and Forrest Bentick then got out of that car. 

“As the two victims exited the store to return to their Mercedes car, their paths crossed with Burton-Devine and Bentick.

“Moments later Burton-Devine pulled a firearm and wrapped in green fabric and pointed it towards the victims.”

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The victims were not hurt and drove away in their car.

Burton-Devine was arrested three days later in London whilst Bentick was arrested on October 9 following a police chase in Waltham Abbey.

Chantel Fowler, 25, of Aldridge Way, Waltham Forest, London, was driving an Audi A1 that crashed into a member of the public’s car.

Bentick fled the car on foot and was tackled by an armed officer.

Officers raided an address in Huntsman Drive, Ilford, on October 10, where Bentick and Fowler were believed to live.

The Nissan Juke was found as well as cocaine, MDMA and 4kg of cannabis.

Adem Yildiz, 26, was living at the property and £6960 in cash was found in his wardrobe.

A search of Fowler’s address on the same day recovered £17,850 in cash, belonging to Bentick.

Burton-Devine was sentenced to 3 years and six months for possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Yildiz was jailed for four years and two months for two counts of possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply cannabis and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.

Bentick was jailed for 13 years and six months for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate, possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.

Fowler was handed an 18-month sentence suspended for two years for dangerous driving and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, she was disqualified from driving for two years.