Ex-serviceman served around the world but only had a gun pulled on him in Birmingham

A serviceman served his country around the world but only had a gun pulled on him in Birmingham. The hold-up cost the victim his career, a court heard.

He was the target of a gang who tried to mug him for his Rolex watch outside the Castle & Falcon pub in Balsall Heath. But the incident spiralled out of control and led to a doorman at the pub being shot in the ankle.

Andrew James, 42, Abdoulie Anderson, 21, Daneton Bailey-Warren, 21 and Enrico Hendricks, 25, were jailed for more than 20 years in total on Tuesday, October 22. In a statement read to Birmingham Crown Court the robbery victim, who had a gun pointed as his chest by Anderson, revealed he could not sleep following the attack, developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ended up being discharged from the Armed Forces.

READ MORE: Birmingham pub doorman said 'don't do it' before being shot in gang Snapchat plot to steal Rolex

He spoke of suffering panic attacks, anxiety and not being able to leave his home for months afterwards. He said: "I have been in the forces for a number of years and completed tours all over the world but have never experienced having a gun pushed to my chest."

The incident had a similarly profound impact on the doorman shot in the leg by Anderson, with the bullet entering and exiting his ankle. He said he suffered flashbacks and thought he was going to die at the time.

The bouncer, who is also a dad, said he had decided to quit the profession after 39 years following another attack at the same pub two months later. He said: "I have found it hard to cope. I really enjoyed my job.

"My leg is still healing after the shooting. I am not the man I was before this shooting. It has knocked my confidence and wellbeing."

James 'orchestrated' the plot to steal the serviceman's Rolex after seeing him at the Castle & Falcon in the early hours of February 11 last year. He summoned Anderson via Snapchat, who in-turn brought along 'henchmen' Bailey-Warren and Hendricks.

The latter three drove a stolen Peugeot to the pub, wearing masks and balaclavas, before confronting the Rolex owner after he left. But the victim resisted and Anderson pointed a gun in his chest.

Others tried to intervene, including the doorman who said 'don't do it' when Anderson pulled the firearm on him. But he menacingly replied 'do you want it?' before discharging three shots into the crowd. Two other people were injured at some point during the melee.

James, from Granville Square in the city centre, did not take part in the physical part of the robbery despite planning it. He was arrested in another car fleeing the scene and caught with another gun as well as cannabis. He was sentenced to six years and six months after admitting attempted robbery, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of cannabis.

The other three defendants were arrested separately later in the month. Anderson, of Bell Barn Road, Edgbaston, also received six years and six months after pleading guilty to attempted robbery, inflicting grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Bailey-Warren, of Springbank Road, Edgbaston, admitted attempted robbery but was also convicted of obstructing a constable, possession of a knife and possession of cannabis for a separate incident in November 2022. He was sentenced to four years.

Hendricks, of Prince of Wales Lane, Kings Heath, was jailed for three years and 11 months after admitting attempted robbery. Det Sgt Lucy Mooney, from West Midlands Police said: "Fortunately the bullet which hit the security guard in his ankle went straight through and he has recovered from his ordeal. The other two injured also did not suffer any long term injuries.

"The victim, although not injured, was threatened with a firearm and I do not underestimate the fear he felt. We are determined to place anyone in possession of a firearm before the courts and seize these weapons which have no place on our streets."