Murder victim was shot in head with handgun

A man found dead inside a disused Black Country factory had been shot in the face and head with a handgun, an inquest heard.

Leon Corey Robinson's body was found by two men who entered the Smethwick factory to look for scrap metal.

Father-of-three Mr Robinson, aged 33, and known as Bucky, had been missing from his home in Dodford Close in Rubery, Birmingham, since November 7. His body was discovered 11 days later in the factory in Foundry Lane.

An inquest into his death was opened by Black Country coroner Robin Balmain yesterday. A murder investigation has been launched into Mr Robinson's death.

Acting Chief Inspector Wayne Jones, leading the investigation, said officers had so far interviewed more than 100 people including the victim's neighbours, friends and family.

"I think he has been lured into that factory to get shot," said Mr Jones. "But I can't see Leon going into that factory alone.

"He must have been with at least one other person. It appears to be a very targeted attack on either him or the person he was with."

Detectives have also been examining 9mm bullets recovered from the scene of the shooting.

Mr Jones added: "We are looking at who had a grudge against Leon and investigating people he may have upset in the recent past.

"He has gone to that factory for a reason that night. He has not been in a fight, he has been shot three times in the head.

"Was it Leon they were after or was he unfortunate and walked into the factory first?"

Mr Jones said officers were still keeping an open mind about what happened and have not ruled out a gangland killing.

"People are not giving us the whole truth at the moment so we're not ruling anything out," he added. "It could be a gangland killing, it could quite easily be, but then again it might not be.

"It could have been someone who had been paid. We're in a position now where we are bringing all the intelligence together to look at the people we consider to be of most interest."

Mr Balmain asked for a second post mortem to be carried out on the body and for a death certificate to be issued. The inquest was adjourned for further inquires to take place.

No-one has been arrested so far.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 0345 1135000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.