Two members of an organised crime group are on trial after shots were fired into a house in Pyle, Bridgend on 22 September 2025, a jury at Cardiff Crown Court heard. Prosecutors say the attack was intended as retribution in a drugs dispute and that the gunmen were aiming for a child, but struck a property unconnected to the alleged target.
Alleged motive and planning
The prosecution told the court the shooting was carried out in response to a suspected theft of thousands of pounds’ worth of Class A drugs stashed on Guernsey. The intended target was identified as Daniel O’Callaghan, who is said to have been dealing MDMA on the Channel Island.
According to evidence presented by the Crown, members of the gang believed O’Callaghan was responsible for the disappearance of the drugs and arranged to punish him. A mobile phone recovered from one of the defendants contained a photograph of a child and text exchanges in which the two men discussed directing violence at the youngster. Three hours before shots were fired, the court was told, those involved carried out a reconnaissance of the route to the house.
“These are not idle threats being bandied around by these drug dealers,”
The remark was attributed to Andrew Jones KC, who is prosecuting the case.
What happened at the scene
Police subsequently located two bullets lodged in the front door and an exterior wall of the property that was struck. The house was said to have no connection with the alleged intended victim.
Court documents and the prosecution’s opening account detail the roles of several defendants from Bridgend and Cardiff. The following list summarises the positions and pleas as reported in court:
- Kian Darkes, 21, Bridgend — admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition in a public place; denies possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- Daniel Clarke, 21, Bridgend — admitted possessing a firearm and ammunition in a public place; denies possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
- Kyle Long, 40, Bridgend — denies conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Callum Pearson, 24, Cardiff — denies conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Jade Evans, 40, Bridgend — denies three counts of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug.
| Defendant | Age | Alleged or admitted conduct |
|---|---|---|
| Kian Darkes | 21 | Admitted firearm and ammunition in public place; other counts denied |
| Daniel Clarke | 21 | Admitted firearm and ammunition in public place; other counts denied |
| Kyle Long | 40 | Denies conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent |
| Callum Pearson | 24 | Denies conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent |
| Jade Evans | 40 | Denies three counts of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug |
Prosecution case and implications
The prosecution characterised the messages and the image as part of a planned effort to identify and intimidate the alleged target. Counsel said the photograph was “stored no doubt in order to ensure the men tasked with enforcing the retribution got the right person”, underlining the Crown’s contention that the operation was organised and targeted.
Defence teams have indicated denial of the most serious charges where entered. Two of the men have admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition in a public place but contest the allegation that they had intent to endanger life. Others face allegations of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm or to supply Class A drugs; those pleas remain not guilty.
The case exposes the dangers posed when disputes linked to the drug trade spill beyond dealers and into communities, potentially putting children and innocent households at risk. It also illustrates challenges for investigators where criminal activity spans jurisdictions, with explanations for the alleged motive tied to events on Guernsey.
The trial is continuing at Cardiff Crown Court.
