Two brothers have been sentenced to life in prison for the attempted murder of a man in Walton, Liverpool. The elaborate plot involved one brother, Kevin Gibney, disguising himself as a street sweeper to ambush the victim before his younger sibling, Jack Gibney, opened fire with a handgun.
The attack, which took place in broad daylight on Delamore Street on February 21, 2023, ended with all three shots missing their intended target. A jury at Liverpool Crown Court found both men guilty of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following a trial in August.
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Gibney, 34, and Jack Gibney, 25, were both sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder.
- The planned attack involved Kevin Gibney posing as a street sweeper in high-visibility clothing to act as a lookout and signal the attack.
- Jack Gibney fired three shots at the victim, Ryan Coburn, at close range, but all of them missed.
- Judge Stuart Driver KC described the men as dangerous offenders, highlighting the risk posed to the public by firing a gun on a residential street.
- Jack Gibney must serve a minimum of 16 years and 34 days, while Kevin Gibney must serve at least 15 years and 52 days.
The Planned Ambush on Delamore Street
The court heard that the brothers, along with a third man, Callum Smith, executed a pre-planned ambush on their target, Ryan Coburn. The incident occurred at approximately 2 PM on a Tuesday afternoon. CCTV footage presented during the trial was crucial in establishing the sequence of events.
Kevin Gibney, dressed in hi-vis clothing, a balaclava, and an FC Barcelona cap, was seen loitering on the street with a broom. Prosecutors described his sweeping efforts as "very token," indicating he was pretending to be a council worker while waiting for the victim to appear.
The Attack Unfolds
As Mr. Coburn and his friend, David Gleeson, walked down Delamore Street, Kevin Gibney made his move. He swung the broom at Mr. Coburn, striking him with enough force to shatter the handle. This action served as the signal for his younger brother, Jack, who was concealed in a nearby alleyway.
Jack Gibney then emerged, walked into the road, and assumed what prosecutors called a "shooter's stance." He fired three successive shots from a handgun directly at Mr. Coburn. Incredibly, none of the bullets found their mark.
Details of the Incident
- Date: February 21, 2023
- Time: Around 2:00 PM
- Location: Delamore Street, Walton
- Weapon: Handgun
- Shots Fired: Three
Despite being shot at, Mr. Coburn was unharmed and immediately gave chase. As the Gibney brothers and Smith fled down the alley, Kevin Gibney was seen throwing a brick toward their pursuer before they made their escape.
Investigation and Arrests
Merseyside Police launched an investigation that relied heavily on CCTV evidence to trace the movements of the assailants both before and after the shooting. Kevin Gibney was captured on camera riding away from the scene on an e-bike, later discarding his cap and hi-vis jacket.
Jack Gibney and Callum Smith were seen fleeing the alley and jumping over a fence. Forensic evidence played a key role in the prosecution's case. Kevin Gibney's DNA was found on the discarded FC Barcelona cap, linking him directly to the disguise used in the attack.
Jack Gibney was arrested on March 13 on Lark Lane. His older brother, Kevin, was apprehended later that month, on March 27, at an address in Kirkdale.
The Defences in Court
During the trial, both brothers offered explanations for their actions. Jack Gibney claimed he was at his girlfriend's home at the time of the shooting. Kevin Gibney initially denied being the man in the footage but changed his story after being confronted with forensic evidence. He then claimed he was in the area seeking odd jobs to fund a drug habit and had panicked, swinging the broom at Mr. Coburn because he mistakenly believed he was about to be attacked. The jury rejected both accounts.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Stuart Driver KC addressed the serious nature of the crime and the danger the brothers posed to the public.
"On February 21, 2023, you planned to kill Ryan Coburn. You obtained a loaded firearm. Jack Gibney lay in wait with it while Kevin Gibney, disguised as a street cleaner, looked out for the victim, saw him, and alerted Jack by striking him. Jack then stepped out of an alley and fired three bullets at him with intent to kill. Thankfully, they missed."
The judge noted several aggravating factors, including the significant planning involved and the immense risk to public safety. He stated, "Others were put at harm by the discharge of bullets in a public street in the daylight. This city has a tragic history of cases in which innocent people have been struck by stray bullets."
Criminal Histories and Minimum Terms
The court considered the extensive criminal records of both men. Kevin Gibney had 25 previous convictions for 55 offences, while Jack Gibney had 12 convictions for 18 offences.
Based on the gravity of the offence and their histories, Judge Driver concluded that both men were dangerous offenders. He said: "I have no doubt that the authors of the pre-sentence report are correct in concluding that you both present a very high risk of serious harm to the public. I find that the seriousness of the offence is such to justify a sentence of life in prison."
Jack Gibney was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years and 34 days. He also received a concurrent four-year sentence for two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs from a separate incident on April 15, 2023.
Kevin Gibney was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 15 years and 52 days. As the sentences were delivered, Jack Gibney showed no emotion, while his brother put his head in his hands.