A TEENAGER was today starting a five year jail sentence after pleading guilty to violence and firearms offences.

Sheldon Keatings, aged 17, of Richmond Avenue in Prestwich, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court.

The court heard that he was arrested just days after a meeting between police and Cheetham Hill community leaders where Detective Inspector Ken Ward vowed to tackle the problem of youths committing random acts of violence with firearms. Keatings was sentenced to five years for an aggravated burglary in Alsham Walk in Cheetham on January 11, when the 53-year-old victim was hit in the face with a shotgun, two years for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear, and one year for possession of a firearm without a licence. He also received two years for an unrelated assault. The sentences will run concurrently.

After the case Det Insp Ward said: "The prosecution of this young offender is good news for the local community.

"Since February, we have seen a dramatic reduction in the number of random firearms-related burglaries and violence in the Cheetham Hill area and I hope the sentencing will demonstrate to residents that we are continuing to fight gun-related violence.

A specialist robbery unit formed in the area where Keatings committed his offences has arrested 33 people since it formed in April.