Getaway driver's digital footprint used to track him down

Detectives were able to piece together his movements through mobile phone data, tracking device in a stolen car and CCTV footage.

Jack Walker was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for his role in the highly sophisticated operations targeting a house in Staindrop before returning turning up in Thornaby a fortnight later.

The gunman has never been traced and Teesside Crown Court heard how the 30-year-old was forced to take part after racking up a £3,500 drug debt in his native Northampton.

The burnt out Audi A3 which was dumped in Billingham after the shooting in Thornaby (Image: Cleveland Police)

A self-loading pistol, a blank-firing 9mm pistol which was converted to fire live ammunition, was recovered a month after the second shooting while a live hand grenade was found in the boot of the car used in the first shooting.

Durham Constabulary’s Head of Crime Operations, Detective Chief Inspector Lindsay Banks-Brown said: “Organised crime has no place in our communities and the criminal use of firearms will not be tolerated across our region.

“Thankfully, nobody was injured in the incidents in Staindrop and Cleveland. However, the levels of violence shown and attempts to intimidate will leave a lasting impact on the victims and affected communities.

“Following today’s sentencing, they can be reassured that we remain relentless and take robust action to disrupt and dismantle criminal fraternities that operate across our county.”

A casing recovered from the scene in Staindrop following the shooting (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Officers from Durham were joined in the investigation when Walker returned to the North East two weeks after the first shooting and targeted a house in Thornaby.

A judge heard how the occupants of the property had refused to co-operate with the investigation and failed to provide police with a statement.

Jack Walker (Image: Cleveland Police)

Temporary Detective Sergeant Rob Griffiths, of Cleveland Police, said: “These incidents clearly took a great deal of planning with dangerous weapons and stolen vehicles being sourced, along with measures to try to evade detection.

“The extensive investigation resulted in identifying those suspected to be involved, stolen vehicles recovered and prohibited weapons recovered and destroyed.

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“Firearms are extremely dangerous weapons which can clearly cause serious harm or worse, death, and it was only by luck on both occasions that someone wasn’t seriously hurt.

“The impact of these incidents extends beyond the victims and the effects are felt on whole communities. I hope today's sentencing provides reassurance to those communities and sends a clear message to those who commit such serious and dangerous offences that we will thoroughly investigate and bring those responsible to justice.”

Walker, of Ecton Lane, Northampton, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and assisting an offender.

He locked Walker up for a total of 12 years and six months after the judge heard how he was paid £500 for the job.