SHOCKING details of the actions of three gunmen who shot at police during an incident in Worcester have been revealed after the trio were jailed for a total of 33 years.
Gerard Doherty, 21, of Oxford Road in Ryton-on-Dunsmore in Warwickshire and Ciaran Irvine, 20, of no fixed abode in Warwickshire pleaded guilty last month after Kyle Ryley, 23 of no fixed address had previously pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court.
The defendants were travelling in a Volvo through Worcester when officers became concerned about the manner in which the car was being driven. The car failed to stop for police, which resulted in a pursuit.
The driver pulled over before reversing into the unmarked police car before driving off again, reaching speeds of nearly 100mph on the A449 and 125mph as it approached junction 6 to the M5 at Blackpole.
Officers were preparing to deploy a Stinger to stop the vehicle when the occupants of the car opened the driver’s window and shot at the police vehicle.
The Volvo made its way across a central reservation driving into oncoming traffic pursued by a second police vehicle.
One of the wheels on the Volvo broke off when it clipped the kerb, causing it to collide with a member of the public’s vehicle before coming to a stop.
The three defendants were chased on foot by officers and arrested after they attempted to discard evidence.
Doherty pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and three charges of possession of an offensive weapon.
He was sentenced to 14 years.
Irvine pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life and three charges of possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 8 years and 9 months.
Ryley pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of a firearm with intent to danger life, possession of ammunition with intent to danger life and four charges of possession of an offensive weapon.
He also pleaded guilty to both dangerous and disqualified driving.
He was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months.
Speaking after sentencing, Det Insp Lee Holehouse, from West Mercia Police’s Major Incident Unit said: “The offenders shot at the police car clearly intending to cause harm and drove in a dangerous and incredibly reckless manner.
“This incident happened during the day when members of the public were going about their daily activities. Fortunately no one was injured but this could have had a very different outcome.
“When we searched the Volvo we also found two firearms, three further offensive weapons including a machete and 74 shotgun cartridges.
“The offender’s actions were audacious, shocking and extremely dangerous and I welcome the sentence given by the court.
Anyone with information of those in possession of illegal weapons or firearms is asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.fearless.org
