Three 'dangerous' men jailed for 44 years for street shooting

Joel Hastings, Jake Howells and Daniel Howells
-Credit: (Image: Merseyside Police)


Three men were jailed for a total 44 years following a shooting earlier this year. Joel Hastings, 30, of Andrew Street, Walton, was sentenced to 16 years for possessing of a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit GBH.

Jake Howells, 24, of Langham Street, Walton and Daniel Howells, 24, of Field Lane, Litherland, were each sentenced to 14 years in prison for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

It comes after a 26-year-old man was shot in the leg just after lunchtime on January 5 close to a primary school in Harrops Croft, Netherton. At the time a number of streets and an area close to The Grange Primary School were cordoned off and parents were told to pick their children up promptly.

READ MORE: British Gas, EDF and Octopus new total payments of £2,700 on offer to customers

READ MORE: Police officer sacked after what she did in Asda

All three men will serve an extended four years on licence. They were found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court in August. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson, who leads the Firearms Investigation Team (FIT), said: “The sentences handed out reflect the recklessness and planning of this attack which earlier this year left a man injured and a community understandably shaken.

“The consequences of gun crime can be far-reaching and devastating and we will do all in our powers to identify and bring before the courts those people who look to bring such weapons onto the streets. Although the number of firearms incidents in Merseyside continues to decrease, we will never cease in our determination to target and apprehend gun crime offenders.

“Despite the victim’s reluctance to cooperate with our investigation, we were able to prove the involvement of Hastings and the Howells brothers and they are starting significant terms of imprisonment. Thanks to the hard work of the investigation team and the support of CPS and the courts, three dangerous people have been removed from those communities they put at risk.

“I hope the communities of Netherton and beyond see such results as evidence of the ongoing work that Merseyside Police and our partners continues to do to reduce the harm of serious and organised crime.

“This work will continue, and I’d ask that anyone who has information about the storage, possession and use of firearms to come forward and tell us what you know, either directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and we will do the rest.”

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story. For the latest news and breaking news visit http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/.

Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Join the Liverpool ECHO Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community to receive the latest news straight to your phone by clicking here.