Words by Ed King
An Erdington man has been jailed for over five years after pleading guilty to charges related to a shooting on Chudleigh Road in July 2024.
Desie Dalton-Byrne, who lives on Chudleigh Road, received his sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday 6 March – with West Midlands Police now releasing more details of the case.
Dalton-Byrne pleaded guilty to charges including possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.
Mugshot of Desie Dalton-Byrne after being arrested following shooting on Chudleigh Road / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
The most serious of the charges faced by Dalton-Byrne, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, could have seen him sentenced to a decade behind bars for that crime alone.
The other charges could also have carried jail time of between 5-10 years each – as directed by the sentencing guidelines from the Crown Prosecution Service.
The 21-year-old was arrested in September 2024 after police scoured CCTV from across the area and talked to witness.
Chudleigh Road sits between Reservoir Road and Marsh Lane – two busy thoroughfares connecting Erdington Town Centre to Stockland Green – with the firearm eventually retrieved from a garden on neighbouring Low Wood Road.
From the evidence gathered by investigating officers, Dalton-Byrne can be seen on CCTV brandishing a weapon – with reports stating shots were fired at a group of people on Chudleigh Road at around 6:30pm.
Dressed in what appears to be a black tracksuit with white trims, he can be seen leaving the driver’s side of a parked vehicle, before waving the gun above his head, then aiming it down the street whilst standing in the middle of the road.
No one was injured during the shooting, and as Dalton-Byrne pleaded guilty to the charges he was not asked to explain his actions in court. After sentencing, a spokesperson from West Midland Police stated: “the motive of the shooting has never been revealed.”
Detective Inspector Matt Marston, from WMP’s Major Crime Unit, added: “Firearms and drugs play a significant role in criminality on our streets. It persistently erodes communities, ruining lives and blighting communities.
“As a result of this discovery, we’ve taken a deadly weapon off the streets, and an individual with direct access to it is behind bars.”
He added: “We hope this sentence will offer a deterrent to other criminals who act in this way.”
CCTV footage of gunman brandishing firearm on Chudleigh Road
Erdington has had significant investment from West Midlands Police over recent months, with two policing initiatives being launched in the constituency – Operation Skybridge in October 2024, and Operation Fearless in January 2025.
Operation Fearless, which is focusing activities on and around Erdington High Street, has seen a team of 20 specially recruited officers tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the Town Centre.
Since its launch in January 2025, Operation Fearless has seen 75 arrests for crimes from shoplifting and possession of an offence weapon, to assault and possession with intent to supply. The initiative has also seized hundreds of thousands of pounds in illegal drugs and contraband.
In an exclusive update to Erdington Local, Detective Superintendent and Operation Fearless Lead Jim Munro told: “Since Operation Fearless launched on 7 January, we’ve now made 75 arrests and carried out 120 stop and searches. Of those 75 arrests, 44 people have already been charged and are now going through the courts.”
“Many of you have noticed a real improvement on the High Street, with comments like “What a difference Operation Fearless has made! Not only is it looking cleaner, but people seem a lot happier – a definite buzz of positivity in the air!” This kind of feedback, and the positive interactions our officers have received while out on patrol, confirms we’re on the right track.”
He added: “We still have a lot of work to do and we’re not slowing down. In fact, we’re working even harder. We’re teaming up with great partners and we’re always looking for ways to do better.
“We’re listening to you and working hard to make things better for the residents of Erdington. We’re all in this together, and we’ll keep you updated on what we’re doing.”
For details on how to report a crime in your area call West Midlands Polcie on 101, or visit: www.westmidlands.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously via the independent charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
In case of an emergency, please dial 999.
