Shouts of 'love you' and 'see you later lad' were heard in Liverpool Crown Court as four men were jailed for a drive-by shooting. Thomas Beverage, Johnathon Ford, Keiran Ingle and Reece Sands received a combined total of nearly 35 years in prison for the incident on Wulstan Street in Kirkdale on July 26 last year.
A stolen BMW was used to fire three rounds from a Glock pistol towards an open metal gate. Two men had been positioned there moments before and 'dived behind the gate' as the shots rang out. The court heard that preparations began days earlier, with Ford reserving a hotel room in Birmingham for Beverage as cover. The Hyundai Santa Fe used by the group was spotted making a gun gesture near Wulstan Street before heading to a farm where the BMW was stored.
Guns and drugs found in Sports Direct bag
After the shooting, the BMW was returned to the farm. Police later executed a search warrant on Ford's mother's property on August 27, 2025. They found a large Sports Direct bag containing a Glock pistol, a Taurus revolver, ammunition, and class A drugs. The drugs included 596g of crack cocaine and 46.9g of heroin, with a street value of at least £50,000. DNA from Sands was found on the Glock, Ford's on the magazine and handle, and Ingle's on the bag handle. The Glock was confirmed as the weapon used in the shooting.
Sentences handed down
Judge Stuart Driver KC said: 'Maximum fear was intended, and there was significant planning.' He added: 'Two men were close to the path of the bullets which were discharged in a residential street. This city has a terrible history of innocent victims being hit by stray bullets.' He declared each of the first three defendants dangerous offenders, noting they presented a high or very high risk of serious harm to the public.
Ford, 32, of Lincoln Crescent, Bootle, admitted conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, two counts of conspiracy to possess a firearm, and conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. He was sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison with an additional two years on licence. Beverage, 25, pleaded guilty to the same firearm charges and possession of ammunition. He received eight years and four months with an extra year and eight months on licence. Ingle, 27, confessed to conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, conspiracy to possess a firearm, and possession of ammunition. He was jailed for seven and a half years with an additional two and a half years on licence. Sands, 23, admitted conspiracy to possess a firearm and was sentenced to five years. As he was led away, he wiped his eyes with his t-shirt. Cries of 'love you' and 'see you later lad' rang out from the public gallery as the men were taken down.
