Gang leader starts six-year gun sentence

Gang leader starts six-year gun sentence « Express & Star: "The leader of a notorious Black Country street gang was beginning a six year prison sentence today after police found a loaded gun he had stashed under his girlfriend’s bed.

Former cage fighter Scott Benjamin led the Pendeford Crew, and was well-known amongst Wolverhampton gang members.

The 23-year-old, with the street name Shredder, was behind bars today after police saw the grip of the pistol, which had seven bullets in it, sticking out of a bag under a bed at his girlfriend’s house in Inglewood Avenue, Bradmore.

Officers searched the house because Benjamin  went to Bilston Street police station earlier to talk about an unrelated matter.

Benjamin admitted possession of the firearm and ammunition modified to let it explode on impact, on the basis that he was looking after it for a criminal associate who he refused to name.

Yesterday 12 officers were at Birmingham Crown Court ready to give evidence that Benjamin, of Ploughmans Walk, Pendeford, was linked to gang crime.

A court had heard he was in Wolverhampton city centre as close friend Marlon Morris, 21, was stabbed to death by rival gang member Jamie Price, son of dance music star Goldie, in 2008.

Benjamin was alleged to have “seriously injured” a member of Price’s gang before the murder."