A GUNMAN who hid out in Burnley while on the run after a double-barrelled shotgun attack on a father-of-two has been jailed for life.

Detectives had launched a major manhunt for 19-year-old Ryan Duggan after he blasted Daniel Kennedy at point-blank range in Widnes in October 2014.

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But Duggan was stopping at a flat in Colne Road, Burnley, with Jordan Grimes, who had recently moved to East Lancashire to escape bad influences in North Cheshire.

Chester Crown Court was told that victim Mr Kennedy was only saved from fatal injuries when a mobile phone in his pocket bore the brunt of the shotgun blast.

He had confronted Duggan and friends, smoking cannabis near flats in Widnes, after they had turned off his water supply as a prank. The stand-off ended with Duggan chasing Mr Kennedy before turning the gun on him. The impact of the shooting was said to have knocked him off his feet.

Prosecutors said that Duggan then fled to Burnley where he stayed with Grimes for around six weeks.

Kim Halsall, prosecuting, said Grimes had rented a flat in Burnley, above a newsagents in Colne Road, from October 17 last year.

He told police he knew nothing about the shooting when he was arrested on December 23.

But when detectives examined his phone they discovered he had browsed the website of the Runcorn and Widnes World, a sister publication of the Lancashire Telegraph, the day after the shooting, October 16.

Judge Roger Dutton said it was clear from his Facebook account and phone that he knew all about the shooting.

He condemned the 19-year-old for harbouring a 'very serious offender' and jailed him for two years.

Judge Dutton added: "Because of you police were unable to arrest Duggan for six weeks."

David Rose, defending Grimes, said: "He was trying to improve himself by moving away from the area."

He said his mother is a community nurse and had not given up on him. He said he has the full support of his family.

Duggan, 19, was given a life sentence, with a recommendation that he serve at least 10 years, after he was convicted of attempted murder.