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Gangsters guilty of wake murder | Gangsters guilty of wake murder |
(10 minutes later) | |
The leaders of a gang said to be responsible for a huge increase in violence on the streets of Manchester have been found guilty of murder. | |
Colin Joyce, 29, and Lee Amos, 32, were convicted of murdering a mourner at the funeral of a man Joyce had "executed". | |
Tyrone Gilbert, 23, was shot dead six weeks after his friend Ucal Chin was gunned down in Longsight, Manchester. | Tyrone Gilbert, 23, was shot dead six weeks after his friend Ucal Chin was gunned down in Longsight, Manchester. |
Eleven men were on trial at Liverpool Crown Court for a catalogue of gang-related crimes, including murder. | Eleven men were on trial at Liverpool Crown Court for a catalogue of gang-related crimes, including murder. |
Joyce led the Gooch Gang in dealing drugs, torturing street dealers who crossed them and targeting rivals, culminating in the murders of Mr Chin, 24, and Mr Gilbert, 23. | Joyce led the Gooch Gang in dealing drugs, torturing street dealers who crossed them and targeting rivals, culminating in the murders of Mr Chin, 24, and Mr Gilbert, 23. |
Crime reduced | |
The court heard gang warfare erupted in the city in 2007 after Joyce and Amos were released on licence for firearms offences. | |
They were recalled to prison for breaking their licences towards the end of that year, which police said coincided with a dramatic reduction in violent crime in the city. | |
Since then there has been a 92% reduction in gang-related shootings in the city and no gang-related murder for 12 months, according to Greater Manchester Police. | Since then there has been a 92% reduction in gang-related shootings in the city and no gang-related murder for 12 months, according to Greater Manchester Police. |
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith travelled to Manchester to herald the success last year, but the event was cancelled at the last minute over fears it could prejudice the trial. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith travelled to Manchester to herald the success last year, but the event was cancelled at the last minute over fears it could prejudice the trial. |
The eleven gangsters on trial were all members of either Gooch or the Old Trafford Cripz, a gang affiliated to them. | The eleven gangsters on trial were all members of either Gooch or the Old Trafford Cripz, a gang affiliated to them. |
Both murder victims had links to Longsight Crew, rivals of Moss Side-based Gooch Gang, Liverpool Crown Court heard. | Both murder victims had links to Longsight Crew, rivals of Moss Side-based Gooch Gang, Liverpool Crown Court heard. |
Joyce and Amos were found guilty of murder alongside senior gang members Aaron Campbell, 25, Narada Williams, 27, and his brother, Ricardo Williams, 26. | Joyce and Amos were found guilty of murder alongside senior gang members Aaron Campbell, 25, Narada Williams, 27, and his brother, Ricardo Williams, 26. |
Six other men were convicted of a range of gang-related offences including gun possession and drug dealing. | Six other men were convicted of a range of gang-related offences including gun possession and drug dealing. |
The men will be sentenced by judge Brian Langstaff later. | The men will be sentenced by judge Brian Langstaff later. |