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Gangsters guilty of wake murder | Gangsters guilty of wake murder |
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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. | 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, 33, 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. |
Make no mistake, the men who led this gang - in particular Joyce and Amos - are among the most dangerous men in Manchester Det Ch Insp Stephen Eckersley, GMP | Make no mistake, the men who led this gang - in particular Joyce and Amos - are among the most dangerous men in Manchester Det Ch Insp Stephen Eckersley, GMP |
The court heard gang warfare erupted in the city in 2007 after Joyce and Amos were released on licence for firearms offences. | 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 coincided with a dramatic reduction in violent crime in the city. | They were recalled to prison for breaking their licences towards the end of that year, which coincided with a dramatic reduction in violent crime in the city. |
Since 2007 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 (GMP). | Since 2007 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 (GMP). |
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. |
Tyrone Gilbert was shot at the wake of his friend, Ucal Chin | Tyrone Gilbert was shot at the wake of his friend, Ucal Chin |
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. |
Speaking on Monday, senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Stephen Eckersley said he was "absolutely delighted" the gang were off the streets. | Speaking on Monday, senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Stephen Eckersley said he was "absolutely delighted" the gang were off the streets. |
The detective said officers had scratched the surface of the two murders to uncover a "much wider and well-organised conspiracy to possess guns and sell drugs". | The detective said officers had scratched the surface of the two murders to uncover a "much wider and well-organised conspiracy to possess guns and sell drugs". |
"This is by far the biggest trial of gang members Greater Manchester Police has ever run and the implications of today's conviction for the city are immense," he added. | "This is by far the biggest trial of gang members Greater Manchester Police has ever run and the implications of today's conviction for the city are immense," he added. |
FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live | FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live |
"Make no mistake, the men who led this gang - in particular Joyce and Amos - are among the most dangerous men in Manchester." | "Make no mistake, the men who led this gang - in particular Joyce and Amos - are among the most dangerous men in Manchester." |
Police said Mr Chin and Mr Gilbert were killed in "military style" operations that were "executed with precision". | Police said Mr Chin and Mr Gilbert were killed in "military style" operations that were "executed with precision". |
Mr Chin was driving along Anson Road in Longsight on 15 June 2007 when a silver Audi pulled up alongside and seven shots were fired. | Mr Chin was driving along Anson Road in Longsight on 15 June 2007 when a silver Audi pulled up alongside and seven shots were fired. |
Three of them struck his upper arm, upper back and chest, injuring his liver, heart and lungs and causing massive internal bleeding. He died later in hospital. | Three of them struck his upper arm, upper back and chest, injuring his liver, heart and lungs and causing massive internal bleeding. He died later in hospital. |
A few weeks later on 27 July, his friends and family, including Tyrone Gilbert, were attending an impromptu wake on Frobisher Close when a number of shots were fired into the crowd from a passing car. | A few weeks later on 27 July, his friends and family, including Tyrone Gilbert, were attending an impromptu wake on Frobisher Close when a number of shots were fired into the crowd from a passing car. |
Aeeron Campbell, Narada Williams and Ricardo Williams were also convicted | Aeeron Campbell, Narada Williams and Ricardo Williams were also convicted |
Mr Gilbert was hit by a single bullet to the chest and he died in hospital. One of his friends, Michael Gordon, sustained two gunshot wounds to his left leg but survived. | Mr Gilbert was hit by a single bullet to the chest and he died in hospital. One of his friends, Michael Gordon, sustained two gunshot wounds to his left leg but survived. |
One gang member, Aeeron Campbell, 25, was traced by DNA after he left a balaclava and pair of gloves at the scene. | One gang member, Aeeron Campbell, 25, was traced by DNA after he left a balaclava and pair of gloves at the scene. |
He was arrested in August 2007 followed by Joyce, Amos and the rest of the gang. | He was arrested in August 2007 followed by Joyce, Amos and the rest of the gang. |
Their subsequent prosecutions were secured with the help of six witnesses who were former associates of the gang. | Their subsequent prosecutions were secured with the help of six witnesses who were former associates of the gang. |
All were given immunity from prosecution and are now in witness protection programmes. | All were given immunity from prosecution and are now in witness protection programmes. |
Joyce was found guilty of murdering Mr Chin and Mr Gilbert, as well as the attempted murder of Mr Gordon. | Joyce was found guilty of murdering Mr Chin and Mr Gilbert, as well as the attempted murder of Mr Gordon. |
Amos was found guilty of Mr Gilbert's murder and the attempted murder of the other man, alongside senior gang members Campbell, Narada Williams, 28, and his brother, Ricardo Williams, 26. | |
Five other men were convicted of a range of gang-related offences including gun possession and drug dealing. A sixth man pleaded guilty to the charges. | Five other men were convicted of a range of gang-related offences including gun possession and drug dealing. A sixth man pleaded guilty to the charges. |
The men will be sentenced by judge Brian Langstaff on Tuesday. | The men will be sentenced by judge Brian Langstaff on Tuesday. |
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Gang crime fell in Manchester after the men were arrested | Gang crime fell in Manchester after the men were arrested |