Shoebury: Man jailed for 28 years for attempted murder

A man, who shot his friend after getting into an argument over a lift home has been sentenced to 28-years in prison after being found guilty of attempted murder. 

Adam Valli, 23 of Derifall Close, London appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, 9 September where he was sentenced after being found guilty of attempting to murder his friend in Shoebury last May.  

The sentencing concludes an investigation by Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate which was launched on 14 May 2023. Essex Police received a report shortly after 2am from a member of the public who witnessed a man being shot on Frobisher Way in Shoeburyness. 

The victim was quickly located with a bullet wound to his leg and taken to hospital. He has since required four operations after sustaining the serious injury. 

Early enquiries identified Adam Valli as the suspect, and he was arrested on 19 May.  

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

They had argued over a lift home and continued to argue over phone calls and text messages. The two men then met on the A127, where Valli has cut in front of the car the victim was in and shouted at him to get in. Whilst both men were in the car, Valli pulled out a gun and threatened to take the victim to outside his mother’s house and shoot him. 

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

Valli attempted to change his appearance prior to his arrest by shaving his hair and beard. Following his arrest, he assaulted a police officer whilst in custody. 

He was charged with attempted murder, possession with intent to supply a class B drug, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, having a firearm with intent to commit and indictable offence, possession of a firearm, assault against a constable in the execution of their duty and criminal damage. 

Following a three-week trial at Basildon Crown Court, a jury found Valli guilty of attempted murder on Monday, 12 February. 

He appeared today (9 September) where he was sentenced to 28 years in prison. 

In a victim impact statement the victim, 26 described how the injuries he sustained still cause him pain. He added: 

“The pain I am suffering as a result of this injury is also a constant reminder to me of what happened that night. When I was first taken to Royal London Hospital, I had asked officers to use their phone so that I could call my mum and let her know I was okay. I wanted to speak with her as I had remembered hearing her scream when I was in the ambulance.

“When I spoke to my mum, I massively downplayed the extent of my injury to her because I didn’t want her to be worried, and I continued to do so until my mum was able to visit me in hospital and learnt the extent of my injuries. My mum now has my location on her phone turned on for peace of mind so she can see where I am at all times and ensure I am safe.

“The feelings that I had experienced since leaving the hospital have gradually become worse over time. I am also constantly blaming myself for everything that lead up to the incident. I feel embarrassed because of how much pain I have put my family through during this time and because of this I haven’t been spending much time with them. I have noticed a significant changes in my family’s lives because of my injury and mental state, I feel like everyone lives are revolving around me, and this gives me a sense of guilt.”

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, from Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate said “The way in which Valli threatened and tormented the victim before shooting him was evil. Valli was someone who the victim had known for years and who he trusted. 

“The victim is extremely lucky to be alive and I hope that today’s sentence allows him to start moving forward and that he is not to blame for what happened to him. 

“There is no doubt that Valli is a dangerous individual and the work of our officers has taken him off the streets.”