A 27-year-old man who shot an e-bike rider during a confrontation on a busy Hertfordshire road has been sentenced to 28 years imprisonment after being convicted of attempted murder.
Hekmat Galmne from Village Way in Pinner was found guilty by a jury of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following the incident on the A41 on 25 July 2024.
The victim, who was riding his e-bike southbound on the major road, was confronted by occupants of a black BMW at approximately 5:20pm. During the heated exchange, Galmne fired a shot that caused a serious gunshot injury to the cyclist.
Emergency services transported the victim to hospital in a life-threatening condition. He has since made a full recovery from his injuries sustained in the shooting.
The confrontation on the A41 followed an earlier incident at a Meriden Way park around 3:30pm the same day, approximately two hours before the shooting occurred. The connection between the two incidents formed part of the investigation by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.
Detective Inspector Mark Butler of the Major Crime Unit described the attack as “an appalling act of violence committed in broad daylight on a busy stretch of road.”
He stated Galmne “showed complete disregard for human life and public safety,” adding: “It is only luck that no innocent people were killed or injured.”
The detective emphasized the sentencing message, stating: “This sentence reflects the seriousness of his crime and sends a clear warning: anyone caught carrying or using firearms will face heavy jail time.”
The jury concluded that Galmne pulled the trigger during the roadside confrontation, rejecting any defence arguments presented during the trial. The firearms possession charge reflects the severity with which courts treat weapons offences when combined with violent crimes.
The A41 represents a major arterial route through the area, making the afternoon shooting particularly dangerous given traffic volumes and the presence of other road users. The 5:20pm timing coincided with rush hour when the road would typically be heavily congested.
The case demonstrates the serious sentences handed down for firearms offences in England and Wales, with Galmne’s 28-year term reflecting both the attempted murder conviction and the firearm-related charges. He will serve a substantial portion of this sentence in custody before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
The victim’s full recovery from life-threatening injuries provides some positive outcome from the violent incident, though the psychological impact of surviving such an attack has not been detailed in court proceedings.
Galmne will serve his sentence in a high-security prison given the nature of his convictions. The 28-year term means he faces spending much of his adult life behind bars, with release dependent on parole board assessments of his risk to public safety.
The investigation and prosecution required coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies and forensic teams to build the case that convinced a jury of Galmne’s guilt on both attempted murder and firearms charges.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms in their community is encouraged to contact police, with the case highlighting the ongoing efforts by authorities to remove weapons from circulation and prosecute those who use them in violent crimes.
