Three men jailed after gunshots fired in disturbance

Rueben Price Snr, 49 and Rueben Price Jnr, 27, from Newton-le-Willows, and James Price, 24, ‘took matters into their own hands’ following a dispute between two families.

The victims were subject to threats and intimidation, while a vehicle was deliberately rammed by a yellow tipper.

The trio all appeared for sentence at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Friday, after pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The charges related to an incident that occurred at around 12.30pm on August 3, 2020, when police received multiple calls regarding a large-scale disturbance at a site in Factory Lane, Widnes.

Officers descended on the site and found that most of those involved had fled the scene, and many of those who were present refused to speak to police.

Rueben Price Snr

However, during their enquiries, detectives were able to establish that the disturbance related to a land dispute between two families, who both owned sites on Factory Lane.

One of the families had decided to undertake building work at on their land, which the Price family strongly objected to.

As a result, the Price family decided to take matters into their own hands and went to the neighbouring family’s land on mass to warn them not to undertake any further work on the site.

During the incident, the victims were subject to threats and intimidation by the Price family and a number of shots were fired.

Witnesses at the scene reported hearing at least five or six shots fired, and while there were no reports of any injuries, some of those present reported that they were shot at.

Rueben Price Jnr

A wagon driver who was delivering fencing to the site told police how his vehicle was deliberately rammed by a yellow tipper being driven by one of the mob.

The terrified driver told officers he feared for his life as he ran away from the site.

Other people present at the site also reported that they were also deliberately rammed into by the tipper.

While searching the scene of the incident officers discovered a number of ammunition casings, and a subsequent search of land belonging to the Price family uncovered a number of burned mobile phones and more ammunition.

There were also a number of abandoned vehicles that the Prices could not use to make their escape, due to them having blocked the only road out of the lane by ramming the fencing truck.

The site was left deserted after the Prices escaped on foot.

James Price

A long-barrelled gun was also subsequently seized from an address associated with Reuben Price Snr in Newton-le-Willows.

As a result of the investigation Rueben Price Snr, Rueben Price Jnr and James Price were all arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

All three appeared in court before Judge Robert Trevor-Jones this morning, where they were sentenced to a total of seven years and 10 months in prison.

Price Snr, of Regent Street in Newton-le-Willows, was jailed for three years, while Price Jnr, of Southworth Road in Newton-le-Willows, was sentenced to two years and five months.

James Price, of Bagueley Avenue in Halebank, was also jailed for two years and five months.

Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

In addition, all three men were given seven-year restraining orders.

Following the hearing, DS Pierre, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the local community for all the help and support that they have provided throughout this investigation, as without their assistance, today’s result would not have been possible.

“It is clear that the Price family believed that they were above the law – they decided to take matters into their own hands and went round mob-handed to their neighbours with the intent of causing fear and harm.

“It was only pure luck that nobody was killed or seriously injured.

“Through what has been an extremely complex investigation, the team of detectives here at Widnes have been able to gather a catalogue of evidence against the Price family, and the trio were left with no option but to plead guilty to the charges against them.

“I hope that the conclusion of this case and the sentences handed to the Price family will provide reassurance to both the victims and the local community.”