CCTV shows gunman fire into victim's chest outside Leeds nightclub as panicked crowd flee

This is the moment a 24-year-old gunman fires a sawn-off shotgun into a clubber's chest from close range outside a venue in Leeds as hundreds of terrified onlookers ran for their lives.

Three men have been jailed for a total of 52 years after launching a gun, machete and knife attack on the victim who miraculously survived the ordeal. An innocent woman was also wounded in the incident.

The 42-year-old man was set upon outside the Nite Trax club, in Chapeltown Road, shortly before 1am on 29 August last year as revellers enjoyed the final hours of the Leeds West Indian Carnival weekend.

He received a gunshot wound to the chest after the weapon was fired at him from just a few feet away. He also received knife wounds and had to undergo surgery.

An investigation by detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, which included CCTV appeals to the public, led to three men being arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Shaquille Liddie, aged 24, from Leeds, was identified as having been the gunman and pleaded guilty to attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Kemar Ricketts, aged 29, and Seion Allen, aged 33, both from Leeds, were found guilty of attempted murder following a trial last week.

Rickets and Allen were each sentenced to 19 years imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court on 20 November. Liddie was jailed for 14 years.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Griffiths, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: "This was an absolutely appallingly violent attack and it is only by sheer chance that the victim was not killed.

"These men armed themselves with a sawn-off shotgun, a machete and a knife and shot the victim at close range in a targeted attack that we have never been able to establish the basis for.

"The whole incident was captured on CCTV and it shows just how busy the area was with people enjoying the evening at the time and the obvious risks there were to others. A woman who was an innocent bystander received slash injuries to her leg during the attack.

"It took a very lengthy and protracted investigation into the circumstances to identify the men responsible and bring them to justice.

"We hope the significant sentences they have received will send a clear deterrent message to others about how seriously offences of this nature will be treated and the heavy penalties that people can expect.

"Guns have absolutely no place in the hands of criminals in our communities and we will continue to do everything we can to tackle firearms crime and protect people from the risks that violent offenders like these present."