Four men have been jailed for a total of 23 and a half years after a scrambler bike shooting that terrified parents.
Shots were fired at the junction of Erin Close and Laxley Street in Dingle on July 14, 2019. Two scrambler bikes were involved in the incident, with two men on each one. Just four minutes after the shooting a bike was involved in a crash with a Nissan on Miles Street.
A rider of the bike was left seriously injured in the street, after a white car arrived at the scene and removed the motorbike. Police said nobody was injured in the shooting but people living in the area were left frightened to let their children play out in the streets.
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Following enquiries, police arrested and charged four men on suspicion of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. At Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, February 6 Edward Dutton, 43, of Cranwell Road, Belle Vale, was sentenced to six years, Anthony Jones, 23, of Saltergate Road, Dingle, was sentenced to five years, Nathan Kelly, 29, was sentenced to five years and James Quinn, 31, of Grafton Street, Liverpool, who was also sentenced for a drugs offence, was sentenced to nine and a half years.
Detective Inspector Graeme Osborne said: “This was an extremely dangerous and reckless act and it’s only down to sheer good fortune that no one was seriously injured. These men showed complete disregard for the safety of those in the community and crossed the line in every sense.
“We sadly know the devastating consequences of gun crime, not only on victims and their families but also in our wider communities. It will be a relief for all of those living in the area who could have been harmed by this criminality to see such a positive result at court.
“Such investigations can take time to bring to court, but be assured that if you provide information on where you think firearms and ammunition are being stored, carried and used, we will take action to make the communities safer. Taking a gun, ammunition or an offender off the streets can save a life, and make those areas affected by gun crime places where such crime will not be tolerated.”
You can pass on information directly via @MerPolCC or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and we will do the rest. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
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