A gunman admitted he wanted the police to kill him as he carried out a shooting spree at various locations in Liverpool, including a cinema, newsagent, and house.
Leslie Garrett, 49, caused fear in the Croxteth and Norris Green areas of Liverpool for two hours in January.
A major incident was declared and parts of the city were put on lockdown, urging people to stay indoors.
Garrett was scheduled to be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today after admitting to eight offenses, as reported by the Liverpool Echo reported.
These offenses include having a firearm with intent to endanger life, two firearm possession charges with intent to cause fear, attempted robbery, and possessing ammunition without a certificate.
He referred to the shooting spree as a 'moment of madness' during a period of 'poor mental health', according to the court.
Garrett’s lawyer, Paul Lewis, stated that his intention was 'suicide by cop'.
According to Mr. Lewis, 'Mr. Garrett’s actions were largely influenced by his mental health, as he intended to provoke a police response that would result in fatal harm to him.'
He claimed that his client had recently been evaluated by a psychiatrist, revealing complex and challenging mental health history’.
Mr. Lewis informed the court: 'Mr. Garrett has openly discussed his motives, which have been examined by doctors.'
However, the prosecution doubts both the reasoning behind Garrett’s actions and his basis of plea.
David Birrell, prosecuting, informed the court: 'The defendant told the doctor “I don’t know why I did it”. So the motivation, it seems, is the doctor’s interpretation.'
Garrett claimed to have come into possession of the firearm and ammunition while agreeing to hold them for money, without initially knowing what they were.
He stated: 'The owner was detained, and I was left with the items for longer than I intended, causing me stress and anxiety.
'At the time of committing all of the offenses, I was in poor mental health. I committed the offenses with the hope of being killed by the police when they arrived at the scene.'
Up Next
The prosecution rejected the basis of plea as 'unacceptable to the crown'.
Judge David Aubrey KC, presiding, also requires more evidence, stating that Garrett’s explanation for his actions was not confirmed by the doctor.
Garrett’s sentencing will be delayed until after a trial on the matter, a hearing to determine the basis for his sentence, scheduled for June 6 and 7.
The judge will hear further evidence and determine whether the defendant 'committed the offenses because he specifically wanted to be killed by the police at the scene'.
Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, Garret only confirmed his name at the beginning of the proceedings.
He expressed gratitude to the judge at the end and was held in custody until his next court date.
Security camera footage shows Garrett wearing a hood and aiming a firearm at the cashier of the News and Booze corner shop, known locally as Sangha’s, while attempting to rob it on January 3.
He discharged the initial round, into the Perspex screen, at 8.30pm.
After that, Garrett went to the Showcase Cinema in Stonedale where, 20 minutes later, he discharged the firearm into the air.
Additional gunshots were heard at a residence on Malpas Road around 10.20pm.
No one sustained injuries during the shootings.
Garret was apprehended the following morning after a nine-hour search with armed police deployed.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenn Wilson said it was the ‘first time we have had to deal with an incident of this nature on the streets of Merseyside’.
.
