‘Dangerous’ Gunman Locked Up After Firing Homemade Shotgun in Busy Park
Liam Whitbread, 24, has been slammed as ‘dangerous’ by a judge after being jailed for firing a homemade shotgun in a crowded park. On Friday 1 April, the Manchester Crown Court sentenced Whitbread to six years behind bars, plus an extra three years on licence.
Shot Fired on Sunny Bank Holiday Amid Families
On Saturday 30 May 2020, Whitbread brazenly carried a ‘slamgun’ hidden in a towel onto Redbank playing fields. Video footage captured on a mobile phone shows him firing the crude weapon towards what police believe was a rival group—while families sunbathed and children played nearby.
Though no one was physically hurt, panic and distress broke out across the park. Police were flooded with calls, sparking a complex investigation led by detectives from Bury CID.
Whittbread Caught Thanks to CCTV and Forensics
Detectives pieced together key witness statements with CCTV footage and forensic evidence. Over a four-day trial, a jury found Whitbread guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Judge described Whitbread as ‘dangerous’, handing down a total nine-year punishment including licence time, reflecting the serious threat he posed.
Detective Warns of Gun Crime Threat
Detective Inspector Andy Wright of GMP Bury’s CID said: “The rash recklessness demonstrated by Liam Whitbread was as ridiculous as it was dangerous and it’s important that he now serves years behind bars for his actions that day.
“It’s lucky nobody was physically injured, including Whitbread himself, but that doesn’t lessen the fear caused to those present. Crime involving guns is one of our top priorities, and we work tirelessly to keep firearms off Bury’s streets.
“We remain committed to hunting down and bringing to justice anyone who threatens our communities with weapons.”
