Brothers jailed for life following injury shooting in Wirral

Two brothers have today, Friday 6 September, been jailed for life following an injury shooting in Wirral.

At around 10.40pm on Wednesday 11 May 2022, a 17-year-old male presented at Arrowe Park Hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg.

An investigation uncovered that the victim had been stood at a bus stop on Fender Way in Birkenhead when a group of males on electric bikes approached and opened fire six times, hitting him once in the leg.

Following enquiries twin brothers James Byrne (above left) and Curtis Byrne (above right), now aged 23 and originally from the Wirral area, were both arrested and charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

They were found guilty of both offences following a trial in July and today were sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum term of 18 years and eight months when they appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective Inspector John Mullen, from our Firearms Investigation Team, said: “This has been a lengthy and complex investigation but thanks to the hard work of the firearm investigation team these brothers will now spend a considerable number of years behind bars because of their actions.

“This was an indiscriminate and reckless use of a gun which could have had even more serious or even fatal consequences and it is right they should be behind bars where they can no longer cause fear or harm in the community.

“I hope these sentences show that the possession and use of firearms is taken exceptionally seriously, and we will take any necessary action to put those responsible before the courts.

“I hope the community sees results like this as evidence of the ongoing positive work Merseyside Police continues to do to prevent shootings, recover firearms and bring offenders to justice.

“We will continue to act on all information provided on gun crime to remove weapons and those who use them from the community and I would ask anyone who has any information about gun crime to please come forward and tell what you know, either directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers and let us do the rest.”