A CRIMINAL drugs gang who terrorised residents with firearms and arson attacks has been jailed for a total of 97 years and 10 months.

Crimea Eugene Price and seven others were involved in the supply of class A drugs and gang leader Price was not afraid to use guns and violence to protect his supply chain.

They were convicted at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Their crimes included torching a car in Ann Street West, Widnes, at 10pm on March 31, 2012 plus many other incidents across St Helens.

The intensity of the flames was so fierce it melted the outside of a gas metre at the property, putting lives at risk.

DS Richie Salter, said: "This has been a lengthy and complex investigation which has resulted in eight individuals receiving significant sentences which reflect the severity of the offences they have committed.

"These people had access to firearms and were not afraid to use them. They had a complete disregard for the safety and lives of others.

Detectives confirmed that the gang was responsible for two firearms discharges and four arson attacks.

DS Salter added: "When you look at the photographs of the damage caused by shots fired at a caravan parked on the driveway of a house, it really brings home the complete disregard that these people have for the lives of others. A the time of the shooting a five-year-old child was asleep on the bed. We are so fortunate that the child, or others who were in the caravan were not seriously injured, or killed.

"The drugs they supplied, with the help of others, will have caused untold misery in local communities in and around St Helens.

"It is a circle of misery that serious criminals like these care nothing about. As long as they can line their pockets with the profits they make they don't care about the consequences caused by the drugs they deal.

"These people through their use of violence caused fear in their local community, but hopefully the results today show that we can do something to stop these people from terrorising our streets.”

Price, Christopher Lunt and David Doolan were convicted of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Six other men, Christopher Kendall, Norman Worrall, Debbie Ballard, Stephen Finney and Mark Jervis were convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Crimea Eugene Price, 34 years, of Tilbury Grove, Leeds, was sentenced to 25 years.

David Doolan, 28 years, of Merton Road, Bootle, was sentenced to 18 years.

Christopher Lunt, 27 years, of Meadowfield, Hindley Green Wigan, was sentenced to 21 years.

Christopher Kendall, 29 years, of Meadowfield, Hindley Green, Wigan, was sentenced to 13 years.

Norman Worrall, 58 years, of Worcester Road, Bootle, was sentenced to six years.

Debbie Ballard, 43 years, of Cleveland Street, St Helens, was sentenced to five years.

Stephen Finney, 21 years, of Lambourne Grove, St Helens, was sentenced to five years.

Mark Jervis, 32 years, of Surrey Street, St Helens, was sentenced to four years.