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Jury out in pub shootings trial Two guilty of pub execution plot
(about 2 hours later)
The jury in the trial of three people accused of organising a gangland-style execution in a packed pub has retired to considers its verdicts. Two people have been convicted of organising a gangland execution in a packed pub in Greater Manchester.
Carlton Alveranga, 20, and Richard Austin, 19, opened fire in the Brass Handles pub, Salford, in March 2006. Ian McLeod, 42, and Constance Howarth, 38, had denied a plot to murder two men in the Brass Handles pub, Salford. A third man, Warren Mason, was cleared.
Preston Crown Court was told they were instructed to kill two men, but missed and were shot dead in the melee. A court heard how the pair hired would-be hitmen Carlton Alveranga, 20, and Richard Austin, 19, who burst into the building and opened fire.
Ian McLeod, 42, Constance Howarth, 38, and Warren Mason, 23, have all denied conspiracy to commit murder. But the pair missed their targets and were shot dead in the ensuing melee.
The masked gunmen stormed into the pub in Edgehill Close, Langworthy, shortly before 1415 GMT on 12 March 2006.The masked gunmen stormed into the pub in Edgehill Close, Langworthy, shortly before 1415 GMT on 12 March 2006.
Man missing The hitmen were shot dead in the ensuing melee
At the time, the pub was packed with people watching a live televised football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.At the time, the pub was packed with people watching a live televised football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Both targets were seriously wounded in the attack but miraculously survived, the court has already heard. Both targets were seriously wounded in the attack but miraculously survived, the court heard.
After the shooting pandemonium broke out and the gunmen were either disarmed or one of the customers had a firearm which they used to shoot both men in the chest.After the shooting pandemonium broke out and the gunmen were either disarmed or one of the customers had a firearm which they used to shoot both men in the chest.
Prosecutors allege that Mr McLeod, 42, of Victoria Street, Radcliffe, Ms Howarth, 38, of Rosalind Court, and Warren Mason, 23, of Jackson Street, Kearsley, were all involved in the plot. Prosecutors successfully proved that McLeod, of Victoria Street, Radcliffe, and Howarth, of Rosalind Court, Salford, were both involved in the plot.
Warren Mason, of Jackson Street, Kearsley, was cleared.
A fourth man, Robert "Bobby" Spears, is also suspected of involvement in the alleged plot but is believed by police to have fled the country.A fourth man, Robert "Bobby" Spears, is also suspected of involvement in the alleged plot but is believed by police to have fled the country.