Leslie Garrett was fired by Showcase Cinema but “held no grudge” before the shoot

Leslie Garrett told the court he was “furious” after being fired from his job at Showcase Cinema but “held no grudge” before opening fire with an AK47.

The 49-year-old, of Ternhall Road in Fazakerley, raided a newsagent in flip-flops and shot through a security screen on the evening of January 3 this year. He then went for a drink in the pub before continuing to the Croxteth photography studio, where he had worked as a security guard before losing his job three months earlier for “being under the influence of alcohol” and shooting other fires outside.

Garrett previously pleaded guilty to eight felonies – including possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, attempted robbery and possession of ammunition without certificate. He will find out how much time he will spend behind bars after he faces a trial, a hearing where a judge decides the factual basis on which a defendant is to be sentenced, at Liverpool Crown Court.

READ MORE: Live updates as Leslie Garrett sentenced for filming in Showcase Cinema

READ MORE: Security guard told Showcase Cinema owner to ‘drop the pea shooter’ but it was an AK47

David Birrell, prosecuting, described how Amandeep Singh worked out of the Sangha off-licence on Lower House Lane on the Wednesday night in question. The shop was empty at around 7.30pm and the shop assistant was standing behind the counter and a protective plastic screen when Garrett entered wearing a long green coat with the hood up and a pair of flip flops on his feet.

Mr Singh “noticed that the defendant’s left arm was very straight” before “suddenly” shouting: “Come on. Money”.

The employee “initially thought it was a joke and smiled,” but Garrett “produced and raised” an AK47 which he fired in his direction. Mr Singh ran into the stock room as the gunman left and drove to the Western Approaches pub in the Ford Focus where he “ordered a drink and spoke to other customers at the bar”.