Tragic Mistaken Identity Claims Life of Cancer Survivor
A father described as having the 'biggest heart of gold' was tragically shot dead in a drive-by shooting just months after receiving the all-clear from lung cancer. The innocent victim, 50-year-old Dale Stogden, known affectionately as Brett to friends and family, was not the intended target of the attack that occurred at a bus stop in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on August 12 last year.
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
Brett's daughters, Piper and Alyssa, shared an emotional tribute to their father, stating: 'Dad had the biggest heart of gold and no matter what he was going through he always had a smile on his face.' This tragedy struck shortly after Brett had been given what his loved ones called a 'second chance' following his successful battle against lung cancer.
Court Convictions Reveal Disturbing Details
Following a two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, 28-year-old Leyton Davies, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of murder. Two other men, 21-year-old Adam Ahmed of Wakefield and 20-year-old Marc Carter, formerly of Wakefield, were both convicted of manslaughter. All three defendants had previously admitted to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, including heroin and cocaine.
The Fateful Night Unfolds
During the trial, jurors heard that Brett had been standing with a friend near a bus stop outside a BP petrol station. Two other men who had also been present fled immediately after the shooting, leading investigators to believe they were the intended targets. Chilling CCTV footage presented in court showed the three perpetrators circling the area in the moments leading up to the attack.
Messages exchanged between the trio indicated they were actively searching for the two men seen at the bus stop. Additional surveillance footage revealed Ahmed hiding a machete before the group entered a stolen Toyota RAV4 that would be used in the attack. The vehicle had been taken during a burglary in Castleford, West Yorkshire, and was being driven with cloned number plates.
The Attack and Aftermath
The court heard that Ahmed initially drove past Brett and the group outside the bus stop before executing a U-turn. As the vehicle slowed, Davies fired a single shot from the open window before Ahmed accelerated away from the scene. The weapon used in the killing has never been recovered, though investigators believe it was a converted blank firing pistol.
The abandoned RAV4 was discovered the following day. Investigations with taxi companies revealed that the trio had been picked up by a driver shortly after the shooting and made several stops before being dropped off at Davies' home address. All three men were arrested on August 15 and formally charged three days later, remaining in custody since their apprehension.
Police Statement on the Tragedy
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle commented on the case, stating: 'From what we now understand of this crime, it looks like Brett was not the intended target of this shooting. However, as was made clear throughout this trial, killing the wrong person is no defence. Him not being the target certainly does not take away from the grief that Brett's family and friends have suffered.'
The case highlights the devastating consequences of drug-related violence and mistaken identity, cutting short the life of a man who had recently overcome a serious health battle and was looking forward to his future.
