Black Country gunman locked up for role in drive-by shooting

A gunman from the Black Country was today starting a 14-year jail sentence after his part in a drive-by shooting.

Andre Chiverton, aged 29, of Peartree Lane, Cradley Heath, was sentenced yesterday after admitting possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The court heard that he was a passenger in a car driven by 27-year-old Daniel Mason when he fired two shots into a crowd of people in the Moss Side area of Manchester, hitting a 17-year-old girl and a 20-year-old.

Mason, of Jervoise Drive, Northfield, was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and was yesterday jailed for 20 years.

The court heard that on May 21 last year Mason and Chiverton drove from Birmingham to Manchester to attend a protest.

Later that day, they drove to Asda in the Greenheys area where they were seen to speak to women. The court heard that a group of men took offence to this and threw a shopping trolley at Mason's new £40,000 Audi TT car, damaging the bodywork.

The pair drove back to Birmingham but returned to Manchester two days later.

At 6pm that day, they reached Great Western Street, Moss Side, and drove around the estate. CCTV images show there were a number of people of all ages walking along the street, including young families with children in pushchairs.

As Mason approached Great Western Street and a group of people, he slowed down.

Two shots were fired into the crowd by Chiverton, forcing people to jump over garden walls and run off as they fled to safety, before the car sped off. A 17-year-old girl was shot in her left elbow. Later that day, a 20-year-old man turned up at hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower back and buttocks.

Chiverton was arrested on May 25 during a vehicle stop check in Birmingham. Mason was arrested later.

Following yesterday's sentencing, Dc Tony Simpson from the major incident team said: "At the time of the shooting, there were many young families walking in the street and the nearby park, enjoying the sunshine.

"Both clearly thought they would take revenge for the incident at Asda. The action they took was completely irrational and was risking the lives of innocent members of the community."