A MASKED gunman who tried to kill an innocent women in a case of mistaken identity just a week after he was released early from jail has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
James Sneddon, 28, and an accomplice fired at the front door of Donna Marie Naismith's house in Glasgow after mistaking it for that of a neighbouring family. Mrs Naismith, 38, cried as she told a jury how she feared she was going to die during the
incident in January 2006.
The shooting came days after Sneddon – who was on licence – threatened two policemen with a shotgun. He was later jailed for almost seven years for the offence. Sneddon, of Kilsyth, was convicted of attempted murder and two firearms charges at the High Court in Glasgow last month. The judge, Rita Rae, QC, yesterday ordered the 12-year term to be run consecutively to his current sentence.
She branded Sneddon "a very dangerous young man" and paid tribute to Mrs Naimsith's bravery. The judge said: "If Mrs Naismith had not moved so quickly, you may have been facing a more serious charge." Ms Rae also ordered Sneddon to be supervised for three years on his release.
Mrs Naismith later told how the attack had left her feeling unsafe in her home.
She said: "I couldn't bear to stay there and be reminded of what happened. Even in my new house I don't feel safe."
Mrs Naismith was at her home in Queensland Drive, Cardonald, on 14 January, 2006, having "a boring Saturday night" with two children she was looking after. She heard an engine outside and thought it might be her partner, a taxi-driver, returning early.
But, Mrs Naismith added: "I turned around and saw two people heading to my front door. It was two men or boys wearing balaclavas and holding guns. The guns and balaclavas put me in a state of fear."
The court heard she "screamed" at the pair that they had come to the wrong home. She jumped up and locked her door to stop them getting in. She told the court of "loud gunfire" with wood shattering, as if they had been shooting at the door. Mrs Naismith believed she heard "two bangs".
She told the jury she then took the girl and young boy into her bedroom and barricaded them all in. Mrs Naismith went on: "My partner had a treadmill and I used that to block the entrance. I just pushed anything at hand to block the door."
Sneddon denied being involved and incriminated Robert Patterson – who is serving 20 years for shooting a man to death in April 2006.
However, a cigarette butt discovered close to the scene was found to have his DNA on it.
