A TURF war between two rival Blackburn gangs escalated to such an extent that a car was shot at, a court was told.

Six men were jailed for more than 20 years as part of the feud, which also saw one man badly beaten and a car torched.

Preston Crown Court heard the feud started in January last year when a stolen Ford Fiesta being used by defendants Paul James McCrory and Joseph Hannan to deal cannabis was attacked by the rival group. Driving was McCrory, who was beaten to such an extent that his blood was all over the car. He had to go to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Brendan McCrory

To try to throw the police off the scent, gang members Brendan McCrory, Ethan Wright and Hannan torched the Fiesta, which had been stolen in Liverpool.

Preston Crown Court heard that seeking revenge for the attack on Paul McCrory, Lewis George Hannan and James David Lonsdale went looking for their rivals in a Range Rover and picked up a third unidentified man at The Britannia Inn, Oswaldtwistle, on January 25.

But the predator became prey when the Range Rover was chased by a convoy of five vehicles being driven by the rival gang.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Ethan Wright

That chase came to an abrupt end when Lonsdale, who was driving the Range Rover, performed a sudden U-turn in Stanhill Road, Oswaldtwistle and the unidentified third man is then said to have fired a single shot at one of the cars in the convoy. The bullet passed through a parked and unoccupied vehicle before becoming embedded in the front door of a family home.

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Lewis Hannan, 24, of HMP Preston, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. One of those charges related to an unconnected incident when he threatened a man with an imitation firearm.

Lonsdale, 22, of Kingfisher Drive, Catterick, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm. He was jailed for five years.

Joseph Hannan, 25, of Cobourg Close, Blackburn, was convicted of arson and possessing cannabis with intent to supply. He was jailed for 26 months.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Paul McCrory (pictured above), of Cicely Court, Blackburn, was convicted of handling stolen goods and possessing cannabis with intent to supply. He was jailed for 23 months.

Ethan Wright, of Queen Victoria Street, Blackburn, was convicted of arson. He was jailed for 14 months.

Brendan McCrory, 20, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, was convicted of arson and sent to a young offenders institution for eight months.

Lancashire Telegraph:

James Lonsdale

Speaking after the hearing, Det Sgt Andy Osbaldeston, from the targeted crime unit, said: “This was a long-running and extensive investigation into serious disorder between organised criminal gangs in the Blackburn and Darwen areas.

“In January 2017 a firearm was discharged on Stanhill Street, Oswaldtwistle. The bullet passed through a parked and unoccupied vehicle before becoming embedded in the front door of a family home.

“Following enquiries police traced a number of offenders who were subsequently arrested and charged in September 2017."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Joseph Hannon

Det Sgt Osbaldeston added: “The seriousness of the offences, relating to firearms, violent disorder, handling stolen goods, arson and supply of drugs, demonstrated the shocking nature of their criminal activities.

“These men, who showed no regard for the safety of the public, are now off our streets and we welcome the sentences handed down at court.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lewis Hannan