These are the latest Liverpool ECHO headlines this morning.
First picture of gunman who shot innocent girl, 15, in the neck at a bus stop
This is the gunman who shot an innocent schoolgirl in the neck as he fired six bullets at a man he had been chasing on an electric bike.
One of Rio Jones' gunshots struck a 15-year-old who was waiting with a friend at a bus stop on Upper Warwick Street in Toxteth at the time. The bullet then travelled through her body and out of her chest, causing her "very serious injuries".
Meanwhile, the "target" was hit by another of the shots - which passed through his arm. The ECHO can now reveal a picture of 19-year-old Jones, of Jermyn Street in Toxteth, who yesterday went on trial accused of attempting to murder both casualties.
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Liverpool Crown Court heard during the prosecution's opening on Wednesday afternoon that he was chasing the male through the streets - with both riding electric bikes - shortly after 5pm on March 1 this year when he fired six shots at him "at extremely close proximity". One bullet struck the other rider, with the other hitting the girl - who "happened to be waiting at a bus stop just behind the target".
David Temkin KC, prosecuting, told the court: "The issue is about the defendant’s intention, what Rio Jones intended when he fired the gun. The prosecution say that, when he fired the gun, his intention was to kill.
Read the full story here.
Man shouted 'you little rat' and grabbed axe during town centre fight
A man shouted “you f****** little rat, watch what happens now” before running into a hardware store and brandishing an axe during a fight in a town centre.
Edward Williams, 30, was leaving a barbershop in Prescot town centre in February when he noticed a man walking down the street, with the two men immediately squaring up to fight. Moments later, CCTV footage showed Williams, of Greenall Court, Prescot, running into a hardware store situated behind him and emerging holding an axe.
Prosecutor Joanne Moore told the court how Williams shouted “you f****** little rat, watch what happens now” before running into the store to grab the weapon. The CCTV footage shows Williams then swinging the axe in the direction of the man, but does not connect with any blows.
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After the other man fled the scene, Williams then hands the axe back to the shopkeeper who had come out onto the high street. Ms Moore noted how only one man was under threat with the axe at the time, with members of the public seen walking along the road during time of the incident.
Williams pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon in August of this year. The court was told that Williams had relevant past convictions which included possession of a bladed article in public in 2014, for which he was handed a community order - which was broken in its early stages before a phase of compliance. Read more here.
Young mum fears for toddler's life as bonfire is built outside her home
A young mother says she is scared for her little boy's life as an enormous bonfire is built outside her house.
The huge pile of wood and other waste is being put together on land near Rickman Street in the Kirkdale area of Liverpool. With over two weeks still to go before November 5 it seems likely to keep growing.
This is causing distress and worry for young mum Gold Onwuka who lives at a property in Rickman Street very close to the bonfire site. 24-year-old Gold lives in the rental property with her 2-year-old son Loyal.
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Her fears come through experience. Last year a large bonfire was lit on the same site and it caused damage to the house she lives in - including melted pipes and a broken window.
She said: "It was scary, I had to get my son out of his bedroom because it was closest to the big fire. He was only one year old at the time. The fire damaged a window in the house and burnt the frame."
Gold, who is currently doing a post-graduate course in teaching, said the sight of the bonfire being built this year has made her feel scared again. She added: "I should feel safe for me and my son in my home. I'm very worried. It is already big and will only get bigger." Read the full story here.
