A gangland hitman was handed a second life sentence for his involvement in an attack in the months before he murdered Paul Massey.
Mark Fellows, 40, nicknamed 'The Iceman', is already serving a whole life term for the murders of 'Salford's Mr Big' Massey and Merseyside gangster John Kinsella in Rainhill.
He was given another life sentence today, Friday, November 13, after being convicted in relation to brutal attack on Aaron Williams, an associate of Salford's A Team gang, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Aaron Parkin, who the judge said played a 'critical' role in plots to attack Williams and another A Teamer, Abdul Rahman Khan, was jailed for 14 years.
He was responsible for trackers placed on Khan and Williams' cars prior to the attacks.
Sentencing, judge Sir Peter Openshaw said Fellows had been described as a 'gun for hire'.
"There was no gun here, but it is obvious he was recruited because he was the hitman," he added.
"Here, he was extracted by others to attack Williams and he did so with a ruthless determination."
The judge said Fellows is 'obviously' dangerous and handed him another life sentence, which will run alongside the previous sentence he received for the murders of Massey and Kinsella.
Fellows was not physically present in court for the hearing, and he remained on videolink from HMP Wakefield as he did during the six week trial at Manchester Crown Court.
On Thursday, jurors found three men not guilty of being involved in the attacks on Williams and Khan, both described as associates of Massey and Stephen Britton, said to be the leader of the A Team.
Jamie Rothwell, 33, Liam Gee, 31, and Warren Barnes, 32, were acquitted of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Parkin had previously admitted two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to both attacks.
Fellows was acquitted on counts of conspiracy to murder, but convicted of one count of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the attack on Williams.
Khan, a close associate of Massey, was shot in February 2015 as he stopped his Mercedes at the junction of Fairfield Street and Doveleys Road in Salford.
Masked men had approached the car, with one firing a pump action shotgun three times into the vehicle.
Khan was able to drive away, and later went to hospital where he said he had suffered a DIY accident.
Weeks later, on March 21, Aaron Williams was brutally attacked on Brattice Drive in Salford with a machete like weapon.
He was lucky to survive, only pulling through thanks to the skill of medical staff.
The two incidents formed part of a 'deadly war' fought between the A Team and a rival criminal gang, known as the Anti A Team and headed by Michael Carroll.
Massey was shot dead outside his home in July 2015, while Kinsella was murdered in May 2018.
Prosecuting, Jaime Hamilton QC said the 'spate of violence' had a significant impact on the community, with 45 'threat to life' notices being handed to people by police.
Parkin, who has never before been sent to prison and only had convictions for 'minor' offences, was recruited after becoming known for his use of tracker devices.
He admitted during the trial that he had previously placed trackers to find cannabis farms to steal their grows.
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Benjamin Myers QC, for Parkin, said the defendant was only involved for a short time and later withdrew from further gangland activity.
"He (Parkin) bitterly regrets an extraordinary couple of months in his life," Mr Myers said.
But the judge said Parkin was a 'full member' of the conspiracy.
"He played a critical role in hunting down their prey," Sir Peter said.
Nick Johnson QC, for Fellows, argued it would be 'disproportionate' for the defendant to receive a life sentence.
But Sir Peter sentenced Fellows to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 10 years and eight months.
"These are offences of the utmost gravity," the judge said.
His latest life sentence will have no practical effect as Fellows was previously ordered to spend the rest of his life in prison, after being convicted of the murders of Massey and Kinsella.
The sentencing came after a third trial into gangland feuding in Salford.
The first trial at Liverpool Crown Court saw Fellows convicted of the murders of Massey and Kinsella. Another man, Steven Boyle, was also convicted of Kinsella's murder.
The second trial ended with eight men being jailed for a total of 92 years.
That case focused on the shooting of schoolboy Christian Hickey Jr, and the shooting of Jamie Rothwell.
After the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, senior investigating officer, said: "The men, convicted under the three phases of Operation Leopard, were from both sides of the dispute but had something in common - violent, dangerous behaviour and disregard for the safety of the public as well as the law.
"I hope that this case has demonstrated that no one is untouchable - even organised criminals, who - naively - believe they are."
