Gunman pulled out pistol and shot rival after being called a 'grass'

HE HAS BEEN JAILED FOR 12 YEARS AFTER SHOOTING AT MAN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

- By ROB KENNEDY

A GUNMAN who opened fire on a rival in a broad daylight shooting on a Newcastle street after losing a fight has been jailed for 12 years.

Stephen Thompson was in Byker when he encountered Nikki Stuart and the pair ended up scrapping.

What Mr Stuart didn't know was that Thompson had left his home that day to head to his friend's house armed with a loaded pistol in his manbag, as well as a knife and a bottle of ammonia.

Newcastle Crown Court heard when Mr Stuart got the better of the fight, Thompson pulled out the firearm from his manbag and shot him. The bullet went into his arm and out of his chest but "miraculously" did no major, lasting damage.

The court heard the offence happened in the Byker Wall area of Newcastle on October 16 last year. CCTV showed Thompson, of Proctor Street, Walker, on a pedal bike with a woman on Shields Road around 1.30pm in possession of a JD Sports bag.

He was then seen pushing the bike towards the Stags Head pub, in the Byker Wall. Victim Mr Stuart was in a flat above the pub and CCTV showed Thompson appearing to talk to those in the flat and he made gestures towards them.

Mr Stuart responded by coming outside into the street and Thompson threw his bag into a garden and headed towards Mr Stuart.

The men began fighting, with Thompson initially seeming to get the better of it but then Mr Stuart got the upper hand and ended up standing over Thompson, who was on the ground having been shoved over and punched.