Arrests made over shooting
POLICE PROBE CITY SHOOTING AND ARSONS
Eight people have been charged in connection with a shooting, arson attacks and the supply of drugs in Sunderland.
On Wednesday morning, Northumbria Police said it carried out a series of raids to target those suspected to be involved in a series of arson attacks, drug supply and a shooting of a window in the Hylton Castle area of the city in September 2016.
Warrants were executed at 12 addresses across Sunderland and a total of 18 people were arrested.
Eight of those people have been charged.
They are: Tony Wayne Trott, 28, of South Terrace, Sunderland, charged with possessionof a fire arm with intent to endanger life and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Lee Barnett, 41, of Throston Grange, Hartlepool, charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of a prohibited weapon.
James Lee Ratcliffe, 33, of HMP Durham, charged with conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Anthony Sweeney, 30, of Spout Lane, Washington, charged with possesion of a prohibited weapon.
Paul Kennedy, 20, of Seaham Street, Sunderland, charged with possesion of a prohibited weapon.
Philip Steabler, 39, of Thorndale Road, Sunderland, who has been charged with assisting an offender.
Alan Smart, 39, of Shrewsbury Crescent, Sunderland, charged with two counts of arson and two counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
David Roberts, 53, of Sorley Street, Sunderland, who has been charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
The other 10 people arrested have been released under investigation pending further enquiries by police.