A criminal who was caught red handed collecting a firearm once shot himself in the foot.
Yesterday the National Crime Agency ( NCA) released surveillance footage which showed police closing in on Paul While in September last year. The dramatic footage showed the Kirkby man throwing a sawn-off shotgun over a garden fence.
While was arrested at the scene by a specialist police unit. In November last year he was jailed for four years after a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.
READ MORE: Gunman threw shotgun over garden fence as police moved in
However While was previously involved in a dramatic incident when he shot himself in the foot. The Kirkby man walked into Tote Sport bookmakers in Dovecot, on December 27, 2007, with a sawn-off shotgun concealed in a pocket.
While's intention was to pull out the weapon to scare a teenager who was inside the shop. However when While reached into his pocket the gun went off.
In May 2008 Liverpool Crown Court heard how While was seen 'hopping around' inside the bookies after shooting himself in the foot.
After the incident While and a 17-year-old man were then picked up by a third man in a black Vauxhall Astra.
The car headed to the home of another man, who fled into his house when he heard gunfire in the street. The three men were later arrested by police and admitted possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Judge Nigel Gilmour sent While to a Young Offenders Institute for six years. The Kirkby man had been out of prison for just 30 days last year when he was arrested during a major police operation in the Knotty Ash area of the city.
While had been placed under surveillance after police believed he was planning to pick up a gun. On September 2 last year While was seen entering a house on East Prescot Road, and police decided to make their move.
Although While managed to throw a bag containing a sawn-off shotgun over a fence, he was arrested at the scene. Police recovered the shotgun and While, 32 of Glen Way, Tower Hill, Kirkby was jailed for four years after admitting several firearms offences.
After While was jailed police said that he was well known within Merseyside's criminal community and was linked to multiple firearms discharges over recent years. He also has convictions for burglary and trying to stab another inmate in jail.
The NCA released footage of While's arrest yesterday to showcase some of the successful operations carried out by the OCP over the last year. The OCP, a joint venture between the NCA and Merseyside Police, has seized 164 kilos of heroin with a street value of £16.4m, 137 kilos of cocaine with a street value of £10,960,000, £957,700 of criminal cash, six firearms, 30 kilos of amphetamine and 80 kilos of cannabis.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Green, of Merseyside Police, said: “We are relentless in bringing to justice offenders involved in serious and organised crime.
“The force has had some excellent results in recent years with closing down county drug deal lines, arresting offenders and protecting the vulnerable.
“This has helped us in our partnership with the NCA and the OCP’s results show what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies combine to take on the most dangerous offenders.
“There is no hiding place for criminals in Merseyside.
“The OCP will continue to do everything it can to make our communities safer.”
