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Men admit their involvement in nightclub shooting

@$: Pelealkhai Williams at a previous court appearance.

Two Pembroke men have admitted their involvement in a shooting near Gravity nightclub.Pelealkhai Williams, 23, pleaded guilty at Supreme Court to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm by unlawfully shooting at Rodney Grimes with a loaded firearm on October 8.He also admitted conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, namely wounding with intent, with a firearm.Jonathan Dill pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to wounding with intent.The charge the 28-year-old admitted described him as having “received, relieved or assisted” Williams in order to enable him to escape, in the knowledge that Williams had committed a felony.Police lauded the convictions and praised the Department of Public Prosecutions for its diligence in bringing the matter to conclusion without the need for a trial.A spokesman said: “The Bermuda Police Service would like to highlight the conviction of Dill and his role in assisting the main offender Williams.“The circumstances of this case demonstrate that, where there is evidence that any person knowingly assists in any crime, that it will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.“The Bermuda Police Service would like to thank the members of the public who assisted with the investigation that has assisted in bringing a successful conviction for two men in a very serious crime.”Mr Grimes, 25, from Devonshire, was shot in the old Clay House Inn car park near Gravity Nightclub, on North Shore Road, Devonshire, at about 3.20am on October 8.He received minor injuries and was released from hospital following treatment.On Monday, Williams and Dill denied a charge of conspiring to murder Mr Grimes, together and with others not before the court.Cindy Clarke, deputy director of public prosecutions, asked for the charge to lie on file.Williams pleaded not guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon, namely a firearm with a barrel length of less than 24 inches, and Ms Clarke asked for the charge to lie on file.Dill denied conspiracy to commit an indictable offence with a firearm and Ms Clarke asked for that charge to lie on file in respect of him.Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves ordered pre-sentence reports for Williams, at the request of his lawyer, Shade Subair.The defendant appeared at the March arraignments session in a pair of striped pyjamas and Ms Subair apologised for his attire but did not explain why he was wearing it.Craig Attridge, representing Dill, said he was not seeking any reports, adding: “My client is keen to be sentenced as soon as possible.”Both defendants, whose addresses were not given in court, were remanded in custody pending sentence, with the matter set for mention at the June 1 arraignments session.