Four people found guilty of their part in attempt murder of man – Wishaw

Shortly after 1.15pm he went outside and was met by a man with a short-barrelled firearm wearing a balaclava who shouted “Oi geezer” and shot him once in the leg.

As the victim dropped to the floor and attempted to move away, the man moved towards him and while the victim was still on the floor the gunman fired the gun again – causing injuries to his arm, wrist and hand – before he was able to get into his house and call the police.

The gunman made off while the victim suffered life-changing injuries and spent nearly a month in hospital recovering.

A meticulous police investigation began, which identified a dispute between the victim and a man named Vito Dimarco, of Donisthorpe Lane, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

In June 2021 Dimarco had been given a suspended sentence and restraining order having been convicted of assaulting the victim in a separate matter.

Through further investigative work, it transpired the 36-year-old had hired the two men inside the car – Darren Hattersley, 54, of Church Lane, Thrumpton, Nottingham, and Nathan Odley, 42, of Osmaston Road, Derby – to kill the victim.

And during police interviews, Pamiela O’Connor 38, of Glenwood Road, Chellaston, Derby was found to have provided a false alibi for her then-partner, Odley.

In June 2022, Dimarco, Hattersley, and Odley were charged with conspiracy to commit murder while O’Connor was charged with committing an act/a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice.

And following a six-week trial at Warwick Crown Court, all four were found unanimously guilty by the jury on Tuesday (10 January).

Dimarco, Hattersley and Odley will be sentenced at the same court tomorrow (Thursday) with O’Connor set to be sentenced at a later date.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Collette O’Keefe said: “This was a pre-planned attack orchestrated by Dimarco due to an ongoing dispute with the victim.

“Dimarco recruited Hattersley who in turn recruited Odley. Both Hattersley and Odley were from out of the area, which was deliberate ploy to try and evade capture, and there was an agreement between the three men to kill the victim.

“Dimarco is a bully who uses violence to assert his authority while O’Connor lied to police in an effort to provide a false alibi for Odley. Fortunately, the victim survived and was able to provide us with key information that allowed us to identify the getaway car and associated men. 

“He has been extremely brave, and both the victim and his family have been patient and fully supportive during the police investigation - I hope this conviction now brings him and his family some peace.

“We would like to reassure the wider community that this was an isolated, targeted attack and we are committed to protecting people from harm by investigating and prosecuting offenders that seek threaten the lives and wellbeing of residents and visitors to Warwickshire.

“Finally, I would like to thank all the police officers and wider team involved in helping to deliver an extremely thorough investigation, which has resulted in these convictions.”

Issued: Laura Maltby, Corporate Communications