Three men have been jailed today after a 16-year-old boy was shot while riding a motorbike.

The court heard how the case centred around a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was riding his motorbike through Eccles on the afternoon of Sunday 19 March 2023.

The teenage boy was joined on his motorbike by his girlfriend at a local convenience store and the pair made their way onto Station Road towards Armitage Street.

On sight of the motorbike being ridden, an immediate assembly for a targeted attack was organised between those sentenced.

CTV shows they were closely followed by a motorbike, tracing the route the boy had taken and pulling alongside them.

Seconds later, two gunshots were heard.

The teenage victim sustained a single gunshot wound which went through his arm and into his chest.

Following treatment for the injury in hospital, he was discharged a couple of days later to recover at home.

The police investigation into the attempted murder, Operation Knott,  was led by GMP’s Serious Crime Division, in conjunction with Salford district policing teams, and involved painstaking work to determine the events of Sunday 19 March and to subsequently apprehend the suspects.

A judge today, Monday 26 February 2024, at Manchester Crown Court, imprisoned Aiden Broadhurst, aged 29 from Manchester Road, Salford to 32 years; Kyle Meighan, aged 31 from Chancel Avenue, Ordsall to 32 years and Jieh Sufyaan, aged 35 from Pyrus Close, Eccles to 32 years in jail.

All have received the same sentences, including an additional three years each on licence after being found guilty of attempted murder following a two-month trial.

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson said: “We hope that today’s result will go some way to allowing the victim to heal and move on with his life.

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“Every single officer who took part in this investigation is committed to keeping people who live within the local community, safe. It is simply unacceptable to have people carrying guns and using these, and we will make it our life’s work to ensure that these kinds of people are taken off the streets.

“We would also like to thank the community of Salford; their ongoing support ensures we can tackle crime together and keep people of Manchester safe.”

Greater Manchester Police continues to encourage members of local communities to engage and report any incidents to the police, which can be done by calling 101 or by visiting the website, www.gmp.police.uk