A man who posed as a delivery driver before threatening his East Dulwich victim with a loaded shotgun has been jailed for six years and nine months.
Thirty-two-year-old Vicente Forde, from Greenwich, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, June 7.
Yesterday (July 29) he was sentenced for the terrifying attack, which was caught on camera. Further counts of attempted murder and possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life were left to lie on file.
On the morning of Monday, July 13 in 2020, at around 9.30am, Forde arrived at a home in Crystal Palace Road wearing a high-vis jacket and carrying an empty Amazon box and knocked on the door.
A father who was at home with his seven-year-old daughter and was on the phone to a friend at the time opened his front door and was confronted with Forde brandishing a shotgun he had hidden inside his jacket.
The quick-thinking man grabbed the gun and a struggle followed, until he managed to disarm his attacker and throw the gun beneath a parked car in the street, all while Forde kicked and punched him – and made threats to stab him.
Passersby rushed to the scene, including builders who had been on a site nearby, and helped restrain Forde until police arrived. The firearm was later found to be functioning, and loaded with two live cartridges.
The victim was treated in hospital for bruising and a broken nose, while Forde was arrested and taken into custody before being charged and remanded.
Police say the circumstances around the incident continue to be investigated.
Detective Constable Imran Hansraj, of the Specialist Crime Command, said: “Vicente Forde’s sentencing has removed him from the streets for a substantial amount of time, and I’ve no doubt that London will be all the safer for it.
“The victim had no idea what was about to unfold when he saw what he thought was a delivery man bringing a parcel to his address.
“He had been home with his young daughter and was going about his business as usual when he was thrust into an incredibly frightening ordeal in which he fought for his life.
“His life was turned upside down in a split second by Forde’s actions, which were wicked and cowardly in the extreme.
“He was disguised and armed with a lethal weapon but the victim displayed incredible bravery to disarm him.
“He was lucky that a number of members of the public took heed of his cries for help and came to his aid. They too deserve enormous recognition.”
Andrew Caird, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on an innocent householder. The victim simply opened his front door to retrieve what he thought was a delivery before he was aggressively set upon by a stranger.
“The prosecution case included strong witness testimony and video footage from a doorbell camera which showed much of the incident and left Forde with little choice but to admit his violent actions.
“Given that the shotgun had been loaded, it is incredibly lucky that nobody was fatally injured.
“Firearms are dangerous and the CPS will work with the police to catch and prosecute those who commit firearm offences.”