Pair 'murdered in gang violence'

Tyrone Gilbert was shot a few weeks after his friend Mr Chin

The leaders of the infamous Manchester Gooch Gang murdered two men after months of "bad blood" and violence with a rival gang, a court heard.

Tyrone Gilbert was shot dead six weeks after his friend Ucal Chin was gunned down in Longsight, Manchester.

The killings happened months after a "wild-west" shoot-out between members of the Gooch and Doddington gangs, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Colin Joyce, 29, and Lee Amos, 32, both of no fixed address, deny murder.

Ten alleged gangsters, all members of either Gooch or the Old Trafford Cripz, a gang affiliated to them, are now on trial for a catalogue of gang-related crimes, including the two murders.

The court heard that trouble began when Reydell Waite, believed to be a member of the Old Trafford Cripz, was shot by the Doddington Gang, said Andrew Menary QC, prosecuting.

It was a scene reminiscent of a wild west movie Andrew Menary QC

Members of the Gooch Gang invaded the turf of their rivals in Moss Side in a revenge attack on the evening of 8 February 2007.

A shoot-out erupted on Wilcock Street with gang members - some in body armour and masks - stood at either end of the street exchanging fire.

"It was a scene reminiscent of a wild west movie," Mr Menary said.

Two alleged Gooch members, Kayael Wint, 20, and Narada Williams, 27, survived but were shot in the foot or legs with a Russian made converted Baikal handgun.

In the dock alongside Mr Joyce, Mr Amos, and Mr Williams are his brother, Ricardo Williams, 26, Hassan Shah, 25, and Aaron Campbell, 25, - all alleged senior members of the Gooch Gang.

Aaron Alexander, 22, Ricci Moss, 21, Mr Wint and Tyler Mullings, 18, are also on trial and are alleged "foot soldiers" of the gang.

Ucal Chin was shot on 15 June 2007

The court heard that Mr Joyce was in control of the gang's armoury of weapons, including sawn-off shotguns, 9mm hand guns, revolvers and sub machine guns.

Narada Williams was the main organiser of the gang's drug dealing, with Ricardo Williams and Mr Shah controlling the street dealers, said Mr Menary.

"The defendants would boast about how they had taken guns into night clubs and about using the guns against rival gang members," Mr Menary added.

Both Mr Joyce and Mr Amos are allegedly responsible for the murder of Ucal Chin, 24, on Frobisher Close, Manchester, on 15 June 2007.

A month later Tyrone Gilbert, 23, was shot dead in in the city and another man Michael Gordon, injured in the shooting.

Charges denied

Mr Joyce is charged with conspiracy to possess guns, two counts of murder, conspiracy to murder and attempted murder. Mr Amos is also accused of murder, conspiracy to murder and attempted murder.

Mr Campbell is charged with conspiracy to possess guns and supply drugs and conspiracy to murder, the murder of Tyrone Gilbert and attempted murder.

Narada Williams is charged with conspiracy to possess guns, supply drugs and conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and the murder of Tyrone Gilbert.

Ricardo Williams is charged with conspiracy to possess guns and supply drugs and conspiracy to murder, the murder of Tyrone Gilbert and attempted murder.

Mr Shah and Mr Alexander are both charged with conspiracy to possess guns and supply drugs. Mr Wint is charged with conspiracy to murder and possession of a gun with intent to endanger life.

Mr Moss is charged with conspiracy to supply drugs and Mr Mullings conspiracy to murder and possession of a gun with intent to endanger life.

All ten deny the charges.

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