Liverpool cinema gunman's 'wish to be killed by police'
49-year-old Leslie Garrett was due to be sentenced today
Last updated 5th Apr 2024
A gunman who fired shots at a cinema, a shop and a house in Liverpool may have done it to die by "suicide by cop", a court has heard.
Leslie Garrett, 49, facing a possible life sentence, was due to be sentenced on Friday at Liverpool Crown Court but his case was adjourned until later this year after a psychiatric report suggested he may have been trying to kill himself by being shot by armed police called to the scene.
This reason, his "basis of plea" on why he committed the offences and used in determining his sentence, was rejected by prosecutors and queried by the judge after being given to them for the first time on the day of sentencing.
Garrett, appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, had shot at a newsagents in Norris Green, with further incidents outside the Showcase Cinema in Croxteth and at a nearby property in Malpas Road on the evening of January 3.
No-one was injured.
The defendant, of Ternhall Road, Fazakerley, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, attempted robbery and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
The court heard Garrett is now claiming he had agreed to mind "an item" for money then later discovered it was a gun and ammunition. He claimed the real owner was arrested and remanded into custody, so he held the items for longer than anticipated, causing him "stress and anxiety".
At the time he was suffering poor mental health, he claimed. He added in his written basis of plea, given to the court: "I committed the offences with the wish to be killed by police attending the scene."
Paul Lewis, defending, said Garrett had a "limited history" in the courts and after seeing forensic psychiatrist, Dr Inti Qurashi, a "complicated and difficult mental health history" had become apparent after he had "opened up" about his motivation for the shooting spree.
Judge David Aubrey KC, said previously when asked for an explanation, Garrett had said it was a "moment of madness" and "senseless".
Judge Aubrey suggested Garrett had never before "positively asserted" he carried out the shooting so as to be shot by armed police responders, but that "suicide by cop" was Dr Qurashi's suggestion.
David Birrell, prosecuting, added: "The motivation is the doctor's interpretation."
Prosecutors will now order their own psychiatrist to assess Garrett before a further hearing, with both defence and prosecution psychiatrists, to decide on the issue before the defendant is sentenced.
Garrett was remanded into custody until June 6.