A SWINDON man who delivered a gun to a drug dealer shortly before a shooting has been given another jail sentence.

Leigh Peppiatt is currently serving 14 years for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life following a shooting in Reading in October 2019.

Reading Crown Court heard how Peppiatt drove the weapon to Joseph Waters on Southampton Street, who shot it seven times in the back of a Honda Jazz intending to kill the occupant.

But Peppiatt was due to appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (September 27), in relation to a decades-old case.

Court registers show that the defendant, of Erin Court in Swindon, has not paid court fines totalling £6,964.92 imposed in August 2003.

The case was reopened in the 37-year-old’s absence, and he was committed to prison for 45 days.

It will run concurrent to the 14-year sentence, so will make no difference to his time behind bars.

What happened in Reading?

Shortly after midnight on October 16, 2019, Sahit Shehu, of Bunces Lane in Burghfield, was involved in a crash on Southampton Street.

Witnesses reported seeing him shift a handgun from his damaged vehicle into a BMW X5 which arrived to pick him up.

Inside the BMW X5 was Leigh Peppiatt, who took Shehu back to home before then taking the hand gun to Waters’ address in Laytom Rise, Tilehurst. He was jailed for 24 years for attempted murder.

READ MORE: Another gunman jailed after man shot in Southampton Street, Reading

A few hours later, Waters used the firearm, shooting it seven times into the back of a Honda Jazz -- intending to kill the 42-year-old victim sat inside.

The 'flurry of gunshots' hit the victim in the shoulder and he was rushed to hospital where he made a full recovery.

After the attack, gunman Waters got into a Ford Fiesta vehicle that had been hired by Cleon Douglin, and they both fled the scene.

Peppiatt left the scene in the BMW X5 vehicle that he used earlier on the same evening from Southampton Street.

What role did Peppiatt play?

Judge Heather Norton told Peppiatt: “I have no doubt you were actively involved in the events that took place that evening.

“You spent much of that afternoon and the evening driving to various locations sharing vehicles and phones.

“In the hours preceding the shooting you were together with Duggan and Waters.”

Judge Norton said the offences were “professional” and had been “planned” for “some hours”.

What sentence did Peppiatt receive?

The 36-year-old was given a 14-year prison term.

This is the same sentence Cleon Douglin (of Coley Avenue, Reading), received.

Peppiatt will serve two thirds of this time behind bars before he is eligible for release on licence.