Statement from a victim of the Shoebury shooting after the shooter was arrested

Adam Valli, 23, appeared at Basildon Crown Court this morning where he was sentenced to 28 years in prison after being found guilty of the attempted murder of his friend in Shoebury last May.

Valli had been friends with the victim for years and on the night of the attempted murder the two had been together at an event in London.

In a statement, the 26-year-old victim described that the injuries he sustained still cause him pain.

In Prison – Adam Valli (Image: Essex Police)

He said: “The pain I am experiencing from this injury is also a constant reminder of what happened that night.

“When I was taken to the Royal London Hospital, I had asked the officers to use their phone so I could call my mum and tell her I was OK. I wanted to speak to her because I remembered hearing her screaming when I was in the ambulance.

“When I spoke to my mother, I massively downplayed the extent of my injury because I didn't want her to worry. And I continued to do so until my mother was able to visit me in the hospital and learned the extent of my injuries.”

The friends had been fighting over a lift home and were still arguing over phone calls and texts on the day of the incident, May 14 last year. The two men then met on the A127, where Valli pulled in front of the victim's car and shouted at him to get in.

While both men were sitting in the car, Valli pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot the victim in front of his mother's house.

The two men got out of the car on Frobisher Way while Valli continued to point the gun at the victim's head. The victim was then shot in the leg.

“For peace of mind, my mother has now activated the location feature on her phone so she can see where I am at all times and make sure I am safe,” he continued.

“The feelings I've had since being released from the hospital have gotten worse over time. Additionally, I constantly blame myself for everything that led up to this incident.

“I'm embarrassed by how much pain I caused my family during this time, so I didn't spend much time with them.

“I have noticed significant changes in my family's life due to my injury and mental state. I feel like everyone's life revolves around me and that makes me feel guilty.”