Three men jailed for 17 years after drive-by shooting in Harpurhey
Detectives say it's lucky somebody wasn't killed
Last updated 18th Mar 2022
A gunman and his two associates have been jailed for a total of 17 years after a drive-by shooting in Harpurhey last year.
The incident happened on Briscoe Lane in broad daylight in January 2021.
Two cars drove in tandem at speed onto Briscoe Lane, where a man chased and fired a gun at another car.
A member of the public called the police after his car was struck by a stray bullet during the shoot out.
Following a trawl of CCTV in the local area, detectives discovered footage of the incident that showed 32-year-old Sean Cowie hanging out the side of a dark grey BMW X5 pointing a gun at a black VW Golf that his associate Dean Urey was pursuing.
While searching Ryan's address on Ashton Road East, Oldham, police seized a shotgun.
Today all three men were sentenced to a total of over 17 years behind bars at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
Cowie, of Ashton Road East, Oldham, was handed five years and seven months after being convicted of conspiracy with intent to cause fear or violence offence.
Ryan received a six-and-a-half year sentence for possession of a shotgun without a license and conspiracy with intent to cause fear or violence offence.
Urey, of Greaves Road, Failsworth, was ordered to serve five years and four months for admitting conspiracy with intent to cause fear or violence offence.
Detective Inspector Claire Moss, Senior Investigating Officer for Op Accentor, said: "The streets of north Manchester are much safer today now that Sean Cowie, Paul Ryan and Dean Urey are behind bars and unable to embark on any further reckless and potentially life-threatening acts of violence in our communities.
"We never established what this was all about, but what we uncovered from the CCTV of this attack was shocking to say the least, and it is quite clear from the fact an innocent man's car was struck that this easily could’ve ended with somebody being seriously injured, if not fatally injured.
"We are clear when we say that gun crime in Manchester is a massive priority for us and we will do all we can to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the possession, distribution, or use of firearms on our streets and ensure that they will face the consequences of their extremely dangerous actions."