Gunman who murdered Gooch Gang member in gangland execution is sentenced

A gunman has been sentenced to life in jail after being found guilty of murdering a Gooch Gang member nearly a decade after the killing.

Abdul Ahsan was 18 when he shot 29-year-old Andre Marshall dead in Urmston, Trafford, in May 2015. Ahsan was arrested on suspicion of murder in the days after the killing, in which Andre was shot seven times.

But he went on the run to Pakistan, and was only brought back to Manchester earlier this year to face justice. Ahsan, now 28, was unanimously found guilty by a jury yesterday, after they had deliberated for around two hours following a three week trial.

READ MORE: Gunman GUILTY of murdering Gooch Gang member nearly decade after gangland execution

He gave evidence in his defence, denying that he was the gunman who killed Andre in a car park next to St Clement's Church. Ahsan, of no fixed address, now faces a life sentence.

The trial judge, Mr Justice Jay, passed sentence this morning and handed down a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 28 years in prison.

Follow updates as they came in from court below.

Following the sentencing, Chris Doggart of GMP’s Major Incident Team said:

“I think the message today is clear: you can run but you can’t hide. Our investigation has always remained focused on finding Ahsan and bringing him to justice. Today, we can say we have done just that.

“This was a horrifically violent crime in which a young man has sadly lost his life. We do not condone the use of firearms on the streets of Manchester and as such, today’s result was right and just.

“Our thoughts remain with Andre’s family. They have remained brave and stoic throughout, although reliving the events of that night and the tragic details of what happened to their son has been heartbreaking