Tuesday 2 October 2007

LIVERPOOL: BB gun yob shoots out coach window

BB gun yob shoots out coach window

PASSENGERS aboard a coach cowered in terror after a window was shot out by a teenage gunman in Liverpool.

Some 15 people, including women and children, were on the bus as it headed into the city centre on Sunday night.

As the coach from Yorkshire went along Edge Lane just before 10pm, the window shattered.

Today driver Albert Roberts, 48, told the ECHO he saw the young gunman take aim and shoot.

“There were around seven lads in a gang, aged around 16, and one held up the gun as I drove past.

“I instinctively ducked and suddenly there was a huge smash and the window was gone.

“A man sat next to the window was lucky not to be hurt and there were three children on the back seat crying.

“I was shaken up but just kept on driving to get away from them.”

The 880 service was heading for the National Express coach station in Norton Street en route to Holyhead and the ferry across to Dublin.

Detectives called to the depot inspected the damage – estimated at around £1,000 – and took a statement from Mr Roberts.

Fed-up firm Voyle Coaches said it is not the first time their vehicles have been targeted in Liverpool.

Director Michelle Higginson said: “Last year, we suffered an attack in Liverpool when a stone was thrown at the window, smashing it. This is a regular route which the kids know we follow and they know the time when the coach is coming through.

“The route was attacked twice in Manchester and this is incredibly frustrating because of the downtime of the coaches, upset to passengers and concern for our drivers.”

A police spokeswoman said they were investigating an incident of criminal damage.

She added: “We suspect a ball-bearing gun was used and we would appeal for any witnesses or anyone with inform- ation to come forward.”

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2007/10/02/bb-gun-yob-shoots-out-coach-window-100252-19881525/

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