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THIS IDIOT COULD HAVE BEEN SHOT DEAD BY POLICE - MOTHERS AGAINST MURDER LAST NIGHT
By Stephen White And John Kelly

THIS is the shocking moment a teenage yob waves a gun at shoppers watched by his gang of "hoodie" friends.

The thug stretches his arms out and points the gun as if taking aim at terrified passers-by on the busy street.

But far from being a deprived inner-city area, this is 4pm in the well-heeled market town of Knutsford, Cheshire - home to millionaires and Premiership football players.

David and Victoria Beckham used to live in nearby Alderley Edge.

Stunned shoppers panicked and phoned 999. Police considered sending armed officers to deal with the gang, but, after deciding they were not dangerous, seized the weapon which shoots ball bearings.

But last night Lyn Costello, of the campaign group Mothers Against Murder and Aggression, said: "This idiot wants to thank his lucky stars he's alive.

"If armed police turn up they have two minutes to decide what to do.

"Just look at the recent tragedy in London. His parents could have been visiting him in a morgue."

And Michelle Forbes, of Mothers Against Guns, called for a ban on replica guns, labelling them "toys that kill".

She said: "We have got to get the message across that guns are used by cowards who lack maturity and want to intimidate and control and replica guns are just as bad as the real thing.

"Possessing them should be treated as having a real firearm. Replicas are so good these days that no one can tell the difference anyway."

Dad Andrew Morton, 30 - whose toddler son Andrew was killed by an air rifle pellet in Glasgow in March - added: "I still can't believe these guns are so easy to get hold of. They are not toys, they should all be banned."

One witness yesterday described the terrifying event on Monday.

He said: "I saw him waving what appeared to be a firearm.

"For anyone who walked past and didn't know what was going on it would have caused instant panic."

He blamed the behaviour of young people on a lack of facilities. He said: "They are out of control."

Ball bearing guns can only be sold to people aged 17 or over but are available by mail order or on the internet. It became illegal to carry the replicas in public last year.

Insp Craig Arterton, at Knutsford police station, said: "The gun is not terribly dangerous although if a ball bearing caught you in the eye it would cause an injury.

"If he had threatened somebody with it then he would have committed a criminal offence.

"If he was just waving it around aimlessly then it is unlikely he will face any action."

Cheshire police said the youth was taken home where he was warned about his conduct in front his parents. The gun seizure follows several incidents involving out-of-control youths in the town. Earlier this week a couple were attacked by around 15 hoodies at Knutsford train station.

The woman, 32, suffered a shattered ankle in a 15ft fall from the platform as she tried to escape the mob after one thug chillingly said: "You're not going home tonight." Sgt Craig Thomas, of British Transport Police, said: "This was a vicious, cold-blooded attack - she is very lucky to be alive."

DO you know who the hoodie gunman is? If so call our newsdesk on 0161 6836402.

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Originally posted by Mather.16v
me n 3 mates all have air rifles, quiet strong aswell...... shoot wild rabbits n 'stuff' at me mates farm

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Originally posted by jmucorsasport
i live nr knutsford an i can honestly say they are all soft little twats, probably rich kids with nuthin better to do...... probably never been in a real fight an if they were, wud shat themselves.....

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Originally posted by jmucorsasport
i live nr knutsford an i can honestly say they are all soft little twats, probably rich kids with nuthin better to do...... probably never been in a real fight an if they were, wud shat themselves.....

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Originally posted by vibrio

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Originally posted by jmucorsasport
i live nr knutsford an i can honestly say they are all soft little twats, probably rich kids with nuthin better to do...... probably never been in a real fight an if they were, wud shat themselves.....

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not well educated in Knutford either

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