Man in flip flops armed with AK47 opened fire after storming newsagents and Showcase Cinema
The 49-year-old, of Ternhall Road in Fazakerley , raided Sangha's newsagents in Norris Green in his flip flops and shot into a protective screen with an AK47 on the evening of January 3 this year. He then went for a drink in the Western Approaches pub before continuing onwards to the Showcase Cinema in Croxteth , where he had worked as a security guard before losing his job three months earlier for "being under the influence of alcohol", and firing further shots outside.
It is stated that you committed the offences because you wished to be killed by the police. The case was adjourned for a two-day Newton hearing. At the time, the store was empty and Mr Singh was behind the counter. You were wearing a long green anorak, your hood was up concealing your face and, bizarrely, you were wearing flip flops.You then produced and raised a large automatic rifle, a lethal weapon, and pointed it at Mr Singh. He believed he was going to get shot and lose his life and believed, such was his fear, that you then fired it in his direction, although the footage may suggest otherwise.
There, you chatted, it would appear, calmly and rationally to customers before leaving. As you walked to the car, you showed the gun which had been left in the car to two males before they retreated. Again, you were not only holding the rifle but pointing it at her. It was some two to three feet away from her.Mr Smith told you to "drop the peashooter and don't point it at her". In a low voice, you said "come see" and gestured for him to follow you outside into the car park.
Customers were obliged to remain in the cinema for their own safety. Mr Smith describes himself as a shell of the man he once was. The AK47 rifle was subsequently found at the address, as were no less than 333 cartridges, of which only one was compatible with use in the rifle. Armed police, with negotiators, arrived at your mother's home at 4. 40am.You then came to the door wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Armed police pointed their firearms at you.
You accepted that you were angry at losing your employment at the Showcase Cinema but did not blame any individuals. You stated that two males had approached you whilst you were living in a car and asked to mind a bag. Dr Qurashi took a history from you in which you described having constant thoughts of death and dying, apathy but not suicidal thoughts. You stated that you felt you had lost everything - your job, your home - and, at the time of the offences, it was 20 minutes of madness and you were not thinking straight.
Dr Qurashi was in court whilst you gave evidence, and he gave evidence that your evidence confirmed his opinion - emphasising there is a history of significant self harm. You had rung the police in December 2023 describing suicidal thinking. You gave to him an account of that which you did, stating it was not your intention to hurt anyone, and you were feeling angry and upset. You told him that, when you were arrested, you said to the police you would give a reason for them to shoot you and you believed the police were going to taser you - as indeed they did.
Secondly, and principally, whether you did that which you did because you placed yourself in a position whereby you wished to be killed by the police and indeed anticipated you would be. In my judgment, it is necessary in the circumstances of your case to determine both issues, irrespective as to whether it impacts upon your culpability.
Thus, I turn to the primary issues upon which this court must make findings. I remind myself at the outset that you have pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at the convenience store, and thus by your own admission there was a financial motivation that night - although you now state in evidence money was not the motivation.
I am satisfied you went there in consequence of a grudge and grievance because you had been dismissed, having worked there for a number of years. I am also satisfied that there certainly came a time when you were storing the firearm under the bed at your girlfriend's house, which is where it was discovered and where you had left it with the ammunition.
You told the probation officer that you were upset and angry at the time. You then drank a considerable amount of alcohol before embarking on that which you did. You had left the firearm at your partner's before going to your mother's, where you were arrested. You were aware that the police would be searching for you.
You did not want to be apprehended. Had you wished to place yourself in a position whereby the police had to act, you could have done so.You did not threaten them or offer violence. Dr Qurashi said in evidence that his opinion was his formulation of the events and your history. Mr Lewis submits that, whilst there were other motivations of yours that night, suicide by cop was a feature of those motivations. I reject that submission on all the evidence I have heard.
You appeared to enjoy showing that firearm to customers at the public house. You felt powerful and in control that night. However, the hearing has given me an opportunity to assess you as a person and that which you did. You do have previous convictions, but none that aggravate the seriousness of these offences and, save for one offence of common assault in 2003, you have no previous convictions for violence.
The offence of attempted robbery, the subject of count eight, falls within category 1A and has a starting point of eight years custody with a range up to 12 years custody - although the court must ensure there is no element of double counting. You remained in possession of that firearm when you went into the Showcase Cinema with intent to cause fear of violence.
Crime Fazakerley Croxteth Norris Green
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