Six men have been jailed for more than 100 years for a week long tit-for-tat gun war that culminated in drive-by shootings of rival gang member’s homes.
Four gang members from Bolton all pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.
While two other men from an affiliated group in Salford, said to have loaned the Bolton men the weapon, were also convicted of the same offence.
Six men have been jailed for more than 100 years for a tit-for-tat gun war that culminated in drive-by shootings of rivals’ homes. Marc Murray (pictured left) and John Kennedy (right) from an affiliated group in Salford are said to have lent four other gang members from Bolton a gun
Shocking footage captures the moment two men brazenly fired shots into the house of one of their rivals, in retaliation for a previous shotgun attack.
Manchester Crown Court heard how Patrick McCann, Harry Allen, Kane Morrison and Anthony Smith met in Blackley, Manchester where they were in a possession of a handgun and planned the gun attack that unfolded that evening.
At 10.05pm Morrison and Allen went to an address in Farnworth on a moped before Morrison shot at the home while a couple were watching television inside.
Just over an hour later the same handgun was used to fire at a property in Little Hulton, near Bolton. No one was injured in either incident.
CCTV footage shows Morrison and Allen on the moped slowing down outside the house of a rival and firing shots inside.
The catalyst for the shootings was when their rivals – who were jailed earlier this year for conspiracy offences – fired a shotgun at Morrison’s home address seriously injuring a family member on October 10 2015.
Officers from GMP’s Major Incident Team uncovered the men’s involvement and trawled through CCTV and phone records to establish their roles in the shootings.
Marc Murray, 32, of HMP Manchester received 25 years and will have to serve at least 20 before being eligible for parole.
Patrick McCann, 32, of Little Hulton was handed 17 years and two months.
Kane Morrison (left), 32, and Harry Allen (right), 29, used a moped and the borrowed gun which was never found to shoot into the houses of two rival gang members
Kane Morrison, 32, of Little Hulton was jailed for 17 years which also included possession of a phone in prison and possession of a sim card in prison.
John Kennedy, 34, of Salford received 17 years which also included possession with intent to supply amphetamines.
Harry Allen, 29, of HMP Lancaster Farms received 16 years and 11 months including possession of a phone in prison and malicious communication.
Anthony Smith, 24, of Bolton was sentenced to 14 years and three months.
The catalyst for the shootings was when their rivals – who were jailed earlier this year for conspiracy offences – fired a shotgun at Morrison’s home address seriously injuring a family member on October 10 2015 (pictured: Patrick McCann, left, Anthony Smith, right)
In total they received 107 years and four months in prison.
Superintendent Mark Kenny, from GMP’s Salford borough, said: ‘The group and their victims were known to each other and had been involved in ongoing disputes.
‘They were seen as rivals by Murray and his friends and the events that followed the initial attack on October 5 2015 included more shootings orchestrated by the defendants.
‘Bravado, status and revenge fuelled these continued attacks which could have quite easily killed people.
Manchester Crown Court heard how Patrick McCann, Harry Allen, Kane Morrison and Anthony Smith met in Blackley, Manchester where they were in a possession of a handgun and planned the gun attack that unfolded that evening (pictured McCann and Murray)
‘This was a complex investigation by officers who worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and Salford City Council. I hope this case shows just how seriously we take gun crime in Salford and Greater Manchester.’
Ben Southam, Deputy Head of the CPS North West said: ‘This was a complex case involving the analysis of very detailed evidence gathered by the police.
‘By analysing mobile phone data and CCTV evidence police and CPS have been able to piece together the movements of each of these defendants during the time that these shootings happened.
‘We have been able to prove that they were all involved in the handling, possession and firing of the gun that was used and they have each been jailed today for their involvement.
The catalyst for the shootings was when their rivals – who were jailed earlier this year for conspiracy offences – fired a shotgun at Morrison’s home address seriously injuring a family member on October 10 2015 (pictured, Morrison and Allen)
‘It is very fortunate that no-one was killed or more seriously injured in these incidents. The use of firearms for settling feuds is completely unacceptable and puts innocent members of the public at risk.’
Local councillor David Lancaster said: ‘These were dangerous, reckless men and only good luck prevented innocent people being caught up in their feud and seriously injured. We don’t want to see this on the streets of Salford and we will continue to work closely with GMP and all partners across the City to ensure the safety of residents’.
Marc Murray and John Kennedy were convicted by a jury of the same offence.
The group fired shots between October 5 and October 10 2015 at several addresses as part of ongoing feud with another organised crime group.