THREE men have been locked up for a total of almost 20 years after a shotgun was fired at close range at a Bradford house.

Paul Wilcox, 36, Lee Thompson, 31, and Ryan Lancaster-Baxter, 20, plotted to discharge the weapon as a “threat or warning,” Bradford Crown Court heard today.

It was fired so close to the front of the property, in Union House Lane, Queensbury, that the shots penetrated the door and could have caused serious injury or death, Judge Neil Davey QC said.

All three defendants were convicted by a jury in November of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence on March 19 last year.

Wilcox and Thompson, who were both recalled to prison on licence, were each jailed for seven years and nine months.

Wilcox’s address was given as HMP Hull and Thompson was said to be of no fixed abode.

Lancaster-Baxter, of Intake Terrace, Fagley, Bradford, who was 19 at the time and said to be under pressure to drive the men to the address, was sent to a young offender institution for three years and nine months.

Prosecutor, Michael Greenhalgh, said that the occupier of the house heard a loud bang and saw a car driving off at 9.40pm.

CCTV from a nearby property showed a vehicle drawing up to the targeted address and a male person getting out, taking out a gun and walking to the house.

Mr Greenhalgh said it was not possible to identify the male but an image analyst revealed that the car was a Citroen C2. A similar vehicle was insured by Lancaster-Baxter and mobile phone traffic linked the three defendants to the offence.

All the defendants made no comment to the police except to state that they were innocent. The gun was never recovered and, the court was told, the motive for the shooting was unknown.

Wilcox had 36 previous convictions, including receiving a six year and eight month sentence in 2013 for conspiracy to supply class B drugs and a similar firearms offence.

Thompson’s criminal record included a five year and nine month sentence in 2013 for robbery.

Lancaster-Baxter had no previous convictions or cautions.

James Littlehales, Wilcox’s barrister, said the earlier firearms offence also involved shooting at a door, this time after an argument in a pub. No one was injured in either incident.

There was no evidence that the weapon was a sawn-off or pump action shotgun.

Wilcox was a model prisoner while held on remand. He was trusted by the staff and had caused no trouble.

Glenn Parsons, barrister for Thompson, said he had no previous convictions for firearms offences.

The gun was fired at the door when no one was looking and there were no injuries.

Frances Hertzog, barrister for Lancaster-Baxter, the offence was “a significant fall from grace from this young man of previous good character.”

Lancaster-Baxter had shown only love, care and kindness to those around him before this incident.

“This was the polar opposite of the way he had lived his life,” Miss Hertzog said.

He was a naive teenager at the time and his family and friends had packed the public gallery to support him.

Lancaster-Baxter had always been in work and he had cared for his unwell father and poorly grandmother on a daily basis.

His cousin, Bradley, had been tragically killed in a road accident a few days ago, causing heartbreak to the family and devastation to their grandmother.

Judge Davey said “a significant deal of planning” had gone into the shooting.

“Nobody knows why the gun was discharged but it must have been a threat or a warning,” he said.

Lancaster-Baxter drove to the scene and one of the older men must have discharged the gun.

The teenager was to some extent acting under pressure but nobody forced him to go along that night.

Wilcox had a previous conviction for “a frightening similar” offence, showing he was ready to settle scores by firing a shotgun, while Thompson’s lengthy criminal record showed “a career of increasing violence.”

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Andy Farrell, who led the investigation, said: “The sentences given today reflect how serious offences of this nature are viewed.

“The use of firearms will not be tolerated in West Yorkshire and those who do use them can expect to receive significant custodial sentences.

“We continue to work in partnership to remove illegal firearms from the streets and prevent them from falling into the hands of criminals.

“Members of the public can assist by reporting information about people suspected of being involved in the use of firearms so further action can be taken.

“Information can be reported to police by calling 101, using live chat, or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”