Man charged with attempted murder after Consett firearm discharge

A man has been charged with attempted murder after a firearm was discharged in Consett.

At around 1.05am last Sunday (September 13), an Audi is believed to have been rammed by a Mitsubishi on Front Street.

One of the occupants of the Audi is then alleged to have fired shots towards an occupant in the Mitsubishi before making off from the scene.

Thankfully, nobody is thought to have been injured during the incident.

Yesterday (September 18), armed officers arrested a 37-year-old man in Burnhope and brought him into police custody for questioning.

Today, David Railton, of Framwellgate Moor, in Durham, has been charged with attempted murder.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 21).

A section of Front Street was closed yesterday while a specialist search team carried out enquiries at the scene.

Further searches have also been carried out at a house in the Framwellgate Moor area of Durham in connection with the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Atkinson, from Durham Constabulary, said: “We understand this incident will have caused a great deal of concern and alarm in the local community.

“As a result, we have increased our patrols in the area to provide reassurance to residents.

“I’d like to thank the community for their patience and support while we carried out our enquiries at the scene.

“I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to please report it, either directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, or contact us online at www.durham.police.uk

Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org