Search the Community

'Despicable' drug dealer jailed for 30 years for shooting his best friend in the head while aiming for someone else in drive-by shooting By LEON WATSON A drug dealer who accidentally shot his best friend in the head during a drive-by attack on a rival gang was jailed for a minimum of 30 years. Anthony 'Leech' McGivern shot front seat passenger Kevin Gott in the back of the head at point blank range while trying to shoot members of the Larkhill Crew on August 30 last year. The pair had a falling out with the street gang over drugs and, Liverpool Crown Court heard, there was also resentment over the murder of Edward Pybis who was killed in a drive-by shooting in the Walton area of the city a few months earlier. Although it was McGivern, 25, who had most to fear from reprisals the pair got hold of a 9mm gun and a stolen Ford Fiesta with fake plates to carry out the attack. But when they entered Larkhill Lane, Clubmoor, and saw their intended victims it was Mr Gott, also 25, who was shot as McGivern tried to both drive and fire at the same time - hitting him in the back of his head. Despite that he made a second attempt to shoot the Larkhill targets even while his friend’s dead body lay slumped in the seat next to him. McGivern then dumped Mr Gott’s body in a gutter in Norris Green and set fire to the car. He denied murder, claiming it was an accident, and although this was accepted towards the end of his trial he was still convicted of murder because he intended to hurt or kill someone, despite the target not actually being the victim. Judge Clement Goldstone QC jailed McGivern for life with a minimum term of 30 years. Larkhill Lane, Liverpool, where McGivern's bungled drive-by shooting took place He said: 'Should anyone consider that this is not long enough I point out that by then you will be 55 years old. 'Many of the people you love will no longer be alive and you will have ruined their lives as well as yours.' McGivern, of Anfield, burst into tears at that point and ran from the dock while family members fell to their knees and wept. Judge Goldstone said: 'He was your friend and he was your partner in crime. 'You fell out with members of the Larkhill Crew to the extent that you were both targets. You decided attack was the best form of defence. 'It is quite apparent that you thought nothing of obtaining and using a gun to solve your problems and that is what makes you, in my judgement, a dangerous young man. 'You fired the gun at the group intending it should hit and kill one of them. Tragically for Kevin Gott who was sat next to you in the car the bullet struck him. 'Your behaviour in the aftermath of Kevin Gott’s death was as disgraceful as it was despicable. 'Though you claimed he was your best friend you put yourself first at every opportunity. Judge Clement Goldstone QC, sitting at Liverpool Crown Court, jailed McGivern for a minimum of 30 years 'You lied to Kevin Gott’s mother about how he died and at whose hand, stooping to the level of vowing to find those responsible. 'You may not have been able to tell her it was you who shot her son but your primary objective was to save your own skin. 'You will live the rest of your life with the death of your friend on your conscience.' After sentencing Detective Chief Inspector David Brunskill, the senior investigating officer, said: 'Today’s guilty verdict and the life sentence Anthony McGivern is now facing for Kevin’s murder shows the devastating consequences guns have on people’s lives. 'Anyone who carries a gun can only have one real purpose and that is to inflict serious harm on others. 'This Force is determined to do all it can to take guns and the people who use them off the streets and we will keep working with communities to do this. 'I would encourage anyone who knows where firearms are being hidden or who is involved to please tell the police so we can prevent further tragedies.' Read more: Drug dealer who shot his best friend by mistake in drive-by is jailed for 30 years | Mail Online What a muppet