A DRUG dealer involved in a gun battle between rival gangs was today starting an eight year prison sentence.

Jermaine Hall, aged 21, was jailed for five years for selling heroin and crack cocaine and three years for possessing a Luger pistol.

He was told by Judge Bloom QC at Bolton Crown Court that the Government and public were "rightly concerned" about the use of guns by drugs gangs and lengthy prison sentences should be expected.

Hall, of Woodham Street, Deane, admitted eight drugs and firearms charges including concealing a firearm with intent to endanger life, concealing a firearm with intent to pervert the course of justice and six charges of selling heroin and crack cocaine.

The court was told that when Hall was arrested, police found a loaded Luger pistol hidden at his home. Tests showed it had been used in a shooting on the streets of Manchester.

Hall claimed he had been a front seat passenger in a car being driven along the city's Princess Parkway when a rival gang fired at least five shots at the car. The driver of Hall's car suffered gunshot wounds.

Forensic tests revealed that Hall had been in the car at the time of the shooting and he had handled the Luger which had been fired at least twice during the gun battle.

Judge Bloom told the court it could not be proved that Hall had fired the gun.

But he told Hall: "You were a front seat passenger in the car driven by another gang member at which lethal bullets were fired across Princess Parkway.

"One of the occupants of the car fired at least two bullets from the Luger with the intention of shooting members of the rival gang.

"It's only by great good fortune that innocent members of the public were not shot and killed."

Mr Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said that Hall was eventually arrested after an undercover police crackdown called Operation Cement -- involving local officers and Greater Manchester major crime units -- aimed at catching drug dealers in Bolton.

Undercover officers contacted Hall on his mobile phone and bought heroin and crack cocaine from him on a number of occasions.

When police later raided his home they found evidence of drug dealing and the loaded Luger. The gun was a First World War 9mm Luger with three live bullets in the magazine.

Graham Robinson, defending, said that Hall only had police caution on his record and a conviction for a Public Order offence.

Mr Robinson said Hall was intelligent but had gone astray and joined a drug dealing gang in Manchester when he borrowed money. He had stayed in the gang through fear.