Man Convicted of Attempted Murder in Corby Shooting

Conviction Following Corby Shooting

A 21-year-old man has been convicted of the attempted murder of a teenage boy following a shooting in a Corby woodland last year. The case, which concluded with a guilty verdict at Northampton Crown Court, involved a 17-year-old victim who was critically injured during the incident. The trial, which lasted a month, saw the jury take over 10 hours to reach a majority verdict, finding Matas Sukaitis guilty of attempted murder.

Details of the Attack

The court heard that on the afternoon of April 11 last year, the 17-year-old boy was sitting on a bench with his friend in Hazel Wood, between Westcott Way and Jubilee Avenue. At about 4.30pm, Matas Sukaitis suddenly appeared on the footpath, pulled out a black handgun, and opened fire at the teenager. As the boy tried to run away, he was shot in the back, causing him to collapse to the ground.

Further Violence and Injuries

Not satisfied with just wounding the boy, Sukaitis stood over him and directly pointed the gun to his head. However, the firearm jammed, not once but twice, sparing the teenager his life. Determined to inflict more serious injuries, Sukaitis produced a knife and stabbed the teenager twice in the leg, kicked him in the face, before aborting his assassination attempt.

Medical Treatment and Aftermath

The teenager required surgery to remove the bullet that shattered a vertebra, which perforated his bowel, and stitches to both legs for the two stab wounds. He was also treated for bruising to his face. The injuries sustained during the attack were severe, requiring extensive medical intervention and leaving the victim with long-term physical consequences.

Drug Supply and Arrest

During the investigation, Sukaitis was identified as operating the Frankie drug line, supplying crack cocaine and heroin in and around Corby in the months leading up to the attack. At an earlier court hearing, he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Three days after the attack, Sukaitis handed himself into the police before being released on police bail while investigations continued.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

However, he went on to be charged a month later, after being detained at Gatwick Airport attempting to catch a flight to Norway. The charges were brought following a thorough investigation by Northamptonshire Police, which included forensic analysis of the firearm and the scene of the incident. The trial at Northampton Crown Court was a significant legal proceeding, with the jury returning majority guilty verdicts on three counts: attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Police Statement and Sentencing

Speaking after the verdict, Detective Sergeant Megan Scotney, who led the North CID Team investigation, stated that Sukaitis showed no regard for others around him, causing utmost fear by discharging a firearm in a popular public place during a sunny afternoon. She emphasized that Sukaitis’ intention was to kill his teenage victim, and it was extremely fortunate that the firearm jammed as he attempted to shoot the boy at point blank range. If it hadn’t, he would have been facing a murder charge.

Source and Verification

The information in this report is sourced from the Northamptonshire Police news release, available at https://www.northants.police.uk/news/northants/news/in-court/2026/july/man-found-guilty-of-attempted-murder-following-corby-shooting/. The details provided are based on the official statements and court records from the Northampton Crown Court trial.