Gunman who fled to Mexico and Suriname jailed

A man who sparked an international manhunt in 2023 after firing gunshots at a house in Halifax has been jailed.

Ellis Thornton, from Leeds but of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

The 27-year-old was jailed at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday for five years and three months, with an additional three years to be spent on licence.

Det Insp Andrew Ellis said he hoped the sentence served as a "clear deterrent to anyone considering the illegal use of firearms".

Thornton fired four shots at a house on Lister Lane in January 2023, hitting two of the ground floor windows, and fled the UK within the same month.

He was arrested for an unrelated incident in the US, and was extradited back to the UK in April where he was charged.

Det Insp Ellis added: "Thornton showed a complete disregard for the safety of those inside the address, and the consequences of his actions could have been far more serious.

"We remain committed to thoroughly investigating offences of this nature and will use every capability available to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts."

He said West Yorkshire Police treated all incidents involving the illegal use of firearms with "utmost seriousness".

Rashawn Bedeau, aged 28, from Leeds, fled the UK alongside Thornton. They initially went to Barbados.

She was jailed for two years earlier this year for funding Thornton while he evaded authorities, moving through Suriname and Mexico.

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