Castle Street gang, the Gilnow Road gang shootings and fights ‘commonplace’

Gang shootings and fights ‘commonplace’ (From This Is Lancashire): "HISTORY of gang violence in Bolton over the past few years has been revealed during a murder trial.

Manchester Crown Court heard about a catalogue of fights and shootings involving rival gangs — the Castle Street gang, the Gilnow Road gang, and others.

The court heard such incidents were commonplace and common knowledge in Bolton.

Defending barrister Maura McGowan gave the list as she cross-examined Bolton taxi driver Akbar Afzal, who is accused of driving a gunman home after a murder in Eccles in 2009.

Speaking about the Castle Street gang, she said: “When there’s a problem, they stick together. When there’s a falling out between them and other gangs, they fight back.

Over the past few years, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, there has been a number of incidents between the Castle Street gang and other gangs.

“Premises have been shot at by people driving past with guns.”

She cited examples including a large-scale fight in March, 2009, outside the Fluid nightclub in Bolton town centre — between the Castle Street gang and the Gilnow Road gang, the court heard.

In May, 2009, someone fired a shotgun at the Derby Diner in Derby Street, and a shotgun was fired into the shutters of the Alnoor Keema Naan in Derby Street."