A Kirkby man who took part in a gangland shooting and the kidnapping and torture of a father is being sought by police after failing to return to prison.
Bryan Thomas, 27, was reported unlawfully at large on August 21 after he failed to return to HMP Kirkham in Lancashire, having been released on temporary licence to do unpaid work in the community. Lancashire Constabulary said this week that numerous enquiries have been ongoing to find Thomas, who comes from Kirkby, Merseyside.
Violent history dating back to age 13
Thomas has a track record of violence that dates back to when he was just 13, including possession of weapons such as a hunting knife, leaving a teenager with a bleed on the brain and assaulting a police officer.
He was just 19 when he was jailed for 17 years with a four-year extended licence for the shooting and an 11-year term, to be served at the same time, for the kidnap plot.
The Salford gangland shooting
In May 2018, Thomas travelled to Salford with older criminals Tony Kelly and Philip Manning to carry out the shooting at the home of Stephen Britton, named in trials as the leader of the A Team gang. Britton was not at home, but a man was left fighting for his life when a bullet lodged in his spine during the shooting.
The shooting was later described in court as a "sophisticated and meticulously planned" attack.
Kidnap and torture in Huyton
While Thomas was on the run from police in the aftermath of the shooting, he took part in the kidnap and torture of a Huyton man. He and associates posed as police officers in an attempt to extract a ransom.
Just weeks later, Thomas and associates dressed as police officers, stopped cars and questioned people about where their kidnapping target lived. They then drove to his home and, still dressed in uniforms, carried out a search for "evidence" before "arresting" their victim.
In the car the gang then told the dad that they were not real police - and it was "going to be a long night". The torture session saw their target scalded with boiling water, stabbed and their eye gouged.
Police officers carried out the rescue operation around 18 hours later, using flash bangs to storm the house while police snipers provided overwatch. Among those arrested with Thomas included Dylan Westall, who is currently serving a minimum of 22 years in prison for an unconnected manslaughter shooting.
A police spokesperson later said: "One of the many shocking aspects of this incident was the fact the offenders impersonated police officers as a front to gain access to the victim's address."
Appeal for information
Thomas is around 5ft 8, medium build, has brown hair and blue eyes. He has links to the Kirkby and Melling areas of Merseyside, and to Manchester.
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We are asking for your help to find Bryan Thomas who is wanted for failing to return to HMP Kirkham following temporary release. Thomas, 27, was reported unlawfully at large on August 21 after failing to return to the prison having been released on temporary licence to do unpaid work in the community.
"Since then, numerous enquiries have been ongoing to find Thomas who comes from Kirkby, Merseyside. We are now asking for your help as part of those enquiries to return Thomas to lawful custody.
"We ask that you do not approach Thomas but to report any immediate sightings by calling 999."
The spokesperson added: "Any previous sightings or information as to where he might be, please contact 101 – quoting log 1512 of August 21."
