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Manchester, UK

William England leading Joe Hingston narrowly avoids a finding of dangerousness, when mitigating for the gunman in Operation Absolute (“gun for hire plot”) at Manchester Crown Court.

31/03/2023

The case involved two separate firearms discharges with intent to endanger life in the greater Manchester area on the 8th of December 2019 and the 25th of February 2020 respectively.

Operation Absolute was an investigation involving the NCA and the Dutch authorities. The firearms were discharged on two separate occasions, firstly at Swan Taxis, Eccles on the 8th of December 2019 and then at an address in the Whitefield area of Bury on the 25th of February 2020.

The prosecution relied upon “encro chat” messages, cell site evidence and call data from non-encrypted mobile telephones, together with various forensic links and CCTV footage to build its case against the defendant, who was party to the conspiracy and described as a “gun for hire”.     

William England leading Joe Hingston, instructed by Richard Derby and Anton Patton of Potter Derby Solicitors.

Coverage:
Manchester Evening News
Greater Manchester Police

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