'Murder' victim Carl Eland was facing weapons charges after shoot-out in the street

Carl Eland was arrested on June 2 following an armed confrontation with Leon Parkinson, who is expecting to be jailed for his role in the violent stand-off.

Parkinson could be seen in CCTV footage, shown to the court, getting off the back of a motorbike and blasting the front door of Eland’s North Ormesby home.

The 20-year-old was then captured picking up the shotgun cartridges fired from the homemade ‘slam-gun’ before getting back on the motorbike and riding away.

Moments later Eland can be seen coming out of his Maria Street home armed with a lump of wood and an air pistol.

Carl Eland

The 37-year-old threw the piece of wood at the motorbike as it rode past his front door before chasing the two men down the road, brandishing the air pistol with his dogs in tow.

He could be seen ducking behind cars in the street as Parkinson got off the motorbike and started walking towards Eland with his ‘slam-gun’ in hand before eventually fleeing the scene.

Two months later Eland was knocked from his bike and killed as he rode through the streets of Middlesbrough.

At the time of the incident Cleveland Police appealed for information from anyone who saw a white Vauxhall Insignia which ploughed into Eland and a 24-year-old woman as they cycled along Homerton Road/Gribdale Road around 9.05pm on Saturday, August 21.

The father-of four died of his injuries three days later.

At the time, Eland was facing charges of possession of a firearm when prohibited for life following a custodial sentence; possession of a prohibited weapon, a self-contained gas cartridge air weapon; and possession of cannabis.

Parkinson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession a prohibited firearm of length less than 30cm / 60cm.

Images of Leon Parkinson's improvised 'slam-gun'

Judge Jonathan Carroll adjourned sentencing for a month to allow Parkinson's defence counsel time to speak to him about the ramifications of an extended prison sentence.

Michele Turner, mitigating, said: "This is a young man who does have some difficulties and it may assist him if I am allowed the opportunity to go through it with him very carefully so that he understands where we are."

• Read more: Family pay tribute​ to Carl Eland

The judge said: "This is clearly an extremely serious matter and is likely to result in a significant sentence. Neither side is prepared on the basis that it is on that level of seriousness of outcome.

"It won't change the outcome but I am prepared to give you the time that you need to speak to him."

The judge quizzed the prosecution about the status of the investigation into Carl Eland's suspected murder.

He said: "I want to know from the prosecution whether they can definitely rule in, definitely rule out or just don't know whether there is any link between what happened here and that incident."

Addressing Parkinson in the dock, the judge added: "You, by virtue of these offences, qualify for a minimum mandatory sentence of five years but I emphasise the word minimum there.

"I have read your pre-sentence report and you need to understand that I am very seriously considering the imposition of an extended sentence in your case.

"I am prepared to adjourn your case but be under no illusion, you will be receiving a custodial sentence and it will be one of some number of years – in excess of five years."

Parkinson, of Woodhay Avenue, Middlesbrough, was remanded in custody until he is sentenced next month.

• Three men have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Carl Eland. Two 20-year-old's and another man, 28, remain on police bail.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054