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Gunman denies links with city gang culture
Vow: John Paul Newsham
A gang member jailed for his part in the shooting of two men on a Preston estate today broke his silence from his prison cell.
Jean Paul Newsham, 23, was given an indeterminate prison sentence last year following the shooting of Mark Whittle and Christopher Ianson on the Callon estate in January 2008.
Mr Whittle lost the sight in one of his eyes, while Mr Ianson was hit with 30 pellets as Newsham fired three times during the confrontation.
But today, in a letter to the Evening Post from his prison cell at HMP Lowdham Grange, in Nottinghamshire, he says he is unhappy about being classed as a gang member and claims the true facts about the incident on January 26, 2008 have never been revealed.
He also claims his co-defendant Lee Walsh, 23, from Willow Grange, Ribbleton, was convicted of two charges of wounding with intent, was not with him on the night of the shootings and is “sat in prison innocent.”
Newsham writes: “Over the past two months I’ve seen write ups about myself and other parties in the gang culture (so you say) in the Preston area.
“Before you put me in the paper make sure your facts are right.
“Instead you say I’m in a gang on the Callon estate. I don’t like what you are saying.
“Yes I had a gun, yes I used the gun - the only truth your story said.
“If you want the full story try and ask and I might even give you the full story of what happened on January 26, 2008.
“And here’s a fact - Lee Walsh wasn’t even with me on the night. I’d not seen him or heard from him all that day or night and he’s sat in prison innocent at the moment.”
Newsham’s co-defendant Walsh was sentenced to 11 years, nine months after being convicted of two charges of wounding with intent in relation to the shooting.
Walsh also admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice regarding a false alibi and also to buying guns.
In March last year Preston Crown Court was told Newsham had admitted to police that he habitually, for about a month before the shooting, carried a loaded sawn off shotgun.
He had “fled in a pack of bicycles” shortly after the incident, the court was told.
The shooting was triggered by an apparent row between members of rival groups from the Farringdon Park and Callon estates - including Newsham - the court heard.
Mr Whittle was blinded by a pellet from the shotgun fire by Newsham, fired in Waldon Street.
Mr Ianson had a total of 36 pellets from the gun embedded in his body.
It was the Crown’s case at the trial that Walsh took hold of the gun at one point during the incident and pointed it at Mr Whittle, but it mis-fired when he pulled the trigger.
Walsh was acquitted of attempted murder, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and having a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Dramatic CCTV footage taken from estate cameras was released following the court case showing the moment the gun was pointed at Mr Whittle, who reportedly taunted the gang with the words “Go on then, shoot me”.
Four other men were also jailed or sent to youth custody in connection with the offence.
Ryan Walch, then 23, of Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to an alibi and was convicted of a shop robbery. He was handed six years, three months in jail.
Lee Taylor, then aged 27, of Franklands Drive, Ribbleton, was sentenced to four years, eight months for a shop robbery. Jason Jackson, then 19, of Braddon Street, Fishwick, was convicted of being involved in buying a shotgun and was sent to youth custody for three years, two months. Daniel Dinning, then 21, of Nevetts Street, Preston, was jailed for 13 months for perverting the course of justice.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
