Teesside shotgun shooting sentencing has been delayed

Liam McElvaney admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent after initially facing an attempted murder charge following the shotgun shooting on Richmond Court, Grangetown, on April 1, last year.

The 22-year-old along with Wayne Narey and a teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with the intent to endanger life – a shotgun.

And 18-year-old Narey pleaded guilty to a further charge of attempting to possess a firearm on March 2, last year.

All three were asked to plead to the charges at the start of their anticipated trial in September at Teesside Crown Court.

All three were arrested after a 40-year-old man was taken to hospital with injuries.

The victim’s injuries were not deemed life-threatening at the time of the shooting but a medical report from a consultant surgeon offers different evidence which was challenged by McElvaney’s barrister Jonathan Walker.

Judge Francis Laird KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, adjourned the hearing to allow time for further medical reports to be compiled and for a Newton hearing to take place to cross examine the doctor’s evidence.

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He said: “One of the things that I have to assess when I determine your sentences is what is the level of harm that you have caused.

“There is evidence from a surgeon, your lawyers feel they should challenge that opinion and that can only be done by the hearing of evidence.

“The reality is that this will cause a delay approaching six months but the assessment of harm will make a material difference to the sentences that I pass for each of you, so this is a matter or real significance.”

McElvaney, formerly of Hylton Road, Sunderland; Narey, of Bruce Avenue, Middlesbrough; and the teenager were all remanded into custody until May 1 when a Newton hearing and sentencing will take place.