Liverpool's role in city gang wars

Cases that demonstrate links between crime figures at either end of the M62

- DAMON WILKINSON & JONATHAN HUMPHRIES

THE rivalry between Manchester and Liverpool needs no introduction. But when it comes to crime, high-level underworld figures from the two cities have a long history of collaboration.

Two cases have demonstrated how notorious Salford gangs the 'A-Team' and the 'Anti A-Team' have recruited Scousers to carry out the dirty work in their ultra-violent feud.

The now notorious and long-running dispute culminated in the shooting of Salford's 'Mr Big, 55-year-old Paul Massey, in 2015. His killer, Anti A-team hitman Mark Fellows, was only caught three years later after executing Mr Massey's friend and known 'enforcer' John Kinsella, 53, as he walked his dogs with his long-term girlfriend in Rainhill.

Fellows, nicknamed 'the iceman, was found guilty of both murders and jailed for life, with no possibility of parole, in January 2019.

After the conclusion of his trial in Liverpool Crown Court, violence erupted again between the two gangs.