A Liverpool gunman who opened fire in the city has been jailed

A gunman who opened fire on a cinema, shop and house in Liverpool has been jailed for 14 years.

Leslie Garrett shot at a newsagent in the Norris Green area before shooting outside the Showcase cinema in Croxteth and at a nearby house in Malpas Road on January 3.

No one was injured in either shooting and Liverpool Crown Court previously heard that Garrett had wanted to die by “suicide by cop”.

In addition to the prison sentence, the 49-year-old was made subject to an extended license period of four years.

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, from Fazakerley, said he was suffering from poor mental health at the time and in a document presented to the court he wrote: “I committed the offenses with a desire to be killed by the police who came to the scene.”

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

After sentencing, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Ryan said Garrett’s “reckless actions” had caused “great 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, has also been recovered, meaning it cannot be used to cause further fear or concern in our communities.

“Although Garrett’s intentions are unclear, he admitted to the offenses and will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars.”