Brothers Alan and John Tobin admit plotting shooting

Convicted drug gang bosses Alan Tobin, from Widnes, and his brother John were part of a conspiracy which saw associates of the notorious Cullen twins targeted.

The plot led to an innocent man suffering life-changing injuries after being gunned down on the doorstep of his own home in Warrington.

John Tobin today admitted participating in the activities of an organised crime group at Liverpool Crown Court in connection with the shooting.

Alan Tobin, of Regency Park, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

The court had heard during a trial earlier this year that 55-year-old victim David Barnes was blasted in the leg by a gunman posing as a pizza delivery driver at his address on Poplars Avenue shortly after 8.45pm on April 24 2020.

His stepson Liam Byrne Jnr, a convicted heroin dealer, had been the intended target.

But Mr Barnes’ assailant, serving solider Aaron Bretherton, opened fire with three to four shots before fleeing.

A second hit had been planned against Charlie Cullen, the dad of gangsters Leon and Anthony Cullen.

Leon and Anthony Cullen

Hours after the first shooting, an unidentified conspirator also posing as a pizza man attended their father’s former house on Sinclair Avenue.

But the caller left after the new occupant informed him that Mr Cullen had since moved.

The court heard today that 41-year-old John Tobin – who appeared via video link to HMP Manchester – communicated with Alan Tobin using encrypted messaging service Encrochat, provided Byrne’s address and went on a reconnaissance mission to the property with his older brother.

Both siblings discussed the shooting of Mr Barnes, with John advising 51-year-old Alan not to search on the internet for news relating to the incident.

All three defendants will be sentenced back at the same court next month, alongside Lewis Fitzpatrick – who helped to arrange the attacks – and getaway driver Anthony Morris.

Bretherton, Fitzpatrick and Morris – all from Liverpool – were found guilty of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm by a jury in March.

Clockwise from left; Bretherton, Fitzpatrick and Morris

Both Tobins are currently serving lengthy prison sentences after operating a major class A drugs ring.

Alan was handed 20 years behind bars in April while John, from Liverpool, was jailed for 19 years and eight months after both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

Their OCG had supplied huge amounts of the illicit substances to other gangs, including that operated by the Cullens.

Leon Cullen, formerly Warrington’s most wanted man before he was captured in Dubai after two years on the run, was locked up for 22-and-a-half years in May after admitting conspiracy to supply firearms and cocaine.

Anthony Cullen was caged for 27 years in 2019 after being convicted of the same charges.