Gunman Gary Williams fighting to clear his name

A gunman who opened fire in a city centre during one of the Black Country's most notorious shootings has launched a bid to clear his name - more than three years after he was jailed indefinitely.

Gary Williams, now 30, was caught on CCTV shooting at rival gang members in Temple Street, Wolverhampton, close to the former city centre store Netto.

He has now hired the legal firm which successfully overturned the conviction of Barry George after he was found guilty of killing Jill Dando.

It is believed Williams is challenging the conviction on the basis that new evidence has come forward. He was ordered to serve at least seven years in 2007 after being convicted of firearms and violence offences.

Williams, who has a history of violence and goes by the street name G-Bo, was driving through the city centre when he spotted rival Isaac Frazer.

He sped round a corner, jumped out of his car and raced down a pathway near the Wulfrun Centre to confront him.

Williams, of Anson Road, Willenhall, pulled out a handgun and fired at his target. But the gun malfunctioned, exploding and sending shrapnel into Williams' face.

Stunned and covered in blood, Williams scuffled with Frazer before both men fled. In the fracas, Williams managed to grab the gun, flee, and dump it in a nearby drain.

Frazer was said to have phoned "re-enforcements" . As Williams, who had lost his keys during the scuffle 20 minutes earlier, tried to push his black Toyota Corolla from where he dumped it in Temple Street, Frazer and his gang rounded a corner.

CCTV showed Frazer pulling out a gun and firing at Williams, who was hiding behind his car. A scuffle then broke out Williams stabbed one of Frazer's gang.

Williams has now been given permission by a single judge to have his case heard before three judges and has hired London solicitors Carter Moore.

The firm represented Barry George who was freed following a retrial after nine years in jail.

London's Court of Appeal said today a date for Williams' hearing had not been set.