Gunman who fired shots across city is jailed

Leslie Garrett, 49, said he wanted to be killed by police officers

A gunman who fired shots at a cinema, shop and house in Liverpool using an AK-47 assault rifle has been jailed for 14 years.

Leslie Garrett fired inside a newsagents shop in the Norris Green area before shooting close to the Showcase Cinema in Croxteth and at a home in nearby Malpas Road on 3 January.

No one was hurt in any of the shootings and Liverpool Crown Court previously heard Garrett may have wanted to die by "suicide by cop".

As well as the jail sentence, the 49-year-old was made subject to a four-year extended licence period.

'Reckless actions'

He admitted charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, intent to cause fear of violence, attempted robbery and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

Garrett, of Fazakerley, said he had been suffering from poor mental health at the time and, in a document shown to the court, he wrote: "I committed the offences with the wish to be killed by police attending the scene."

The assault rifle was later recovered from a house, Merseyside Police said.

The court heard he had earlier that day drunk one-and-a-half bottles of rum before he set off with the weapon at about 19:30 GMT, firing at a counter in an off licence.

He caused the cinema to go into lockdown after pointing a gun at a staff member and firing off a round of shots.

Garrett was arrested hours later when armed police descended on his mother's house.

The defendant, "agitated and aggressive" was tasered and taken into custody.

An assault rifle weapon was later recovered by police

After the sentencing, Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ryan said Garrett's "reckless actions" had caused "a great deal of fear in the local community".

“A huge policing plan was put in place," he said.

"The firearm he used, along with a quantity of ammunition, was also recovered which means it cannot be used to cause further fear or concern in our communities.

“Although Garrett’s intentions are not clear, he admitted the offences and will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars."

Leslie Garrett, 49, fired shots outside the Showcase Cinema at about 20:50