Footage has been released of the brave moment a mother and daughter managed to fight off a drug addict who pulled a gun on them in a car park lift.
CCTV revealed how heroin addict Eric Pike followed his two victims into the elevator before he threatened to shoot them with a black handgun - demanding their purses, money and phones.
The heroic pair instinctively launched themselves at Pike in the lift, bravely ignoring his threats before the lift doors opened and he ran off.
Video obtained by police showed how Pike had been lurking nearby the lift and stepped inside after deciding to target the mum and her daughter on June 9.
The pair told the court this week how they have been left with anxiety and flashbacks as a result of the ordeal, with their attacker Pike, jailed for over seven years.
Chris Hopkins, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court last month: “In a city centre car park they paid for their ticket on the screen and they both walked towards the lift.
“They noticed the defendant leaning against the lift. He was hunched over, looking at the floor.
“The defendant followed them into the lift. The mother pressed the button... the lift doors closed, the lift started to move and very shortly afterwards the defendant produced a handgun.”
Mr Hopkins said Pike told the women “sorry to do this girls” before: “Holding the gun, he pulled the back of the gun back as if he was cocking it.”
The 50-year-old then demanded: “Give me your purses, money and phones.”
CCTV played in court and now obtained by Liverpool Echo revealed what happened at the Q-Park car park on Hanover Street as the younger of the two women confronted Pike before chasing him when the lift doors opened.
She did this despite him threatening: “I’m going to shoot you in the eye.”
While Pike fled, the mum pressed the emergency button on the lift.
The daughter later told police: “I think instinct and adrenaline kicked in but once I got back to the car I became teary and upset.”
Harrowing victim personal statements detailed how both women, who were in their 50s and 30s, had been left terrified by the ordeal, which has led to flashbacks and anxiety.
The mum said: “I will never get over the fact I thought my daughter could get shot.”
Judge Garrett Byrne praised the “extraordinary” courage of both women and jailed Pike for seven and a half years, with an extended licence period of two years.
This means he will have to serve at least two thirds of his jail term before he can be considered for release.
When he is released he will be the subject of licence conditions for whatever is left of the seven and a half years, plus a further two years.
Pike, of Windsor Street in Orrell Park, had been arrested days after the incident and, after initially denying involvement, later admitted attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.
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