TWO men from Hindley Green were jailed for a total of 34 years for their part in a crime spree involving drugs and guns.

The eight strong gang headed by traveller Crimea Eugene Price were sent to prison for a total of more than 97 years after their involvement in the supply of Class A drugs when they appeared on Friday at Liverpool Crown Court.

Price, who headed up the gang, used guns and violence to protect his supply chain. He has been jailed for 25 years after being convicted of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Gang members Christopher Lunt, aged 27, and Christopher Kendall, aged 29, both of Meadowfield, Hindley Green were jailed for 21 years and 13 years respectively for their reign of terror around St Helens.

During an investigation detectives discovered the gang’s main players were responsible for gun shots being fired at Derbyshire Road, Derbyshire Hill on February 27, 2012, and Leonard Street, St Helens on February 14 2012. They also plotted arson attacks.

Detective Superintendent Richie Salter, said: "These people had access to firearms and were not afraid to use them. They had a complete disregard for the safety and lives of others.

"When you look at the photographs of the damage caused by shots fired at a caravan parked on the driveway of a house it brings home the complete disregard that these people have for the lives of others. At the time of the shooting a five-year-old child was asleep on the bed.

"The drugs they supplied, with the help of others, will have caused untold misery in local communities. It is a circle of misery that serious criminals like these care nothing about. As long as they can line their pockets.”

Price, 34, of Leeds was sentenced to 25 years, David Doolan, 28, of Bootle to 18 years, Norman Worrall, 58, of Bootle to six years.

St Helens woman Debbie Ballard, 43, and Stephen Finney, 21, also of St Helens received five year sentences and 32 year-old St Helens man Mark Jervis got four years.