A TEENAGER who blasted a Widnes dad with a double-barrelled shotgun has been given a life sentence at Chester Crown Court.

Ryan Duggan, aged 19, of Wavell Avenue, Widnes, was convicted of the attempted murder of 25-year-old Daniel Kennedy on October 15, 2014, after a trial.

He was also convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Dad-of-two Mr Kennedy only escaped fatal injury because a mobile phone in his pocket bore the brunt of the impact.

Sentencing him, Judge Roger Dutton said a life sentence was justified "for an offence as grave as this."

He said: "You armed yourself with a sawn off shotgun, pulled it out, fired it directly at this man at less than two metres.

"It is hard to imagine an offence of attempted murder quite so serious as this."

He said Duggan must serve 10 years minus the 246 days he has spent in custody before he can apply for parole.

Duggan and a gang of youths were smoking cannabis and causing a nuisance in the hallway at St Michael’s View, Ditton where Mr Kennedy lived, the court heard.

They turned off the water supply as a prank.

Dad-of-two Mr Kennedy confronted them with other residents and he ended up chasing Duggan.

The judge told Duggan: “You took out a sawnoff shotgun and fired it deliberately at Mr Kennedy.

“He was blown off his feet.

“That sawn off shotgun is capable of the most heinous crime.”

He said Mr Kennedy’s mobile phone in his pocket had saved his life.

The judge added: “A pathologist told the jury had the telephone not been in his pocket, Mr Kennedy would have suffered the most catastrophic injuries to most of his vital organs and he would have died of massive loss of blood before the ambulance would have got there.

“You are fortunate you are not standing there being sentenced for murder.”

Simon Christie, defending, said: “This defendant has expressed his remorse to the victim’s family and his own family for the difficult years ahead.”

Jordan Grimes, aged 19, of Alexander Drive, Widnes, a friend of Duggan, was jailed for two years for assisting an offender.

He provided him with a safe haven allowing him to stay at his flat in Burnley whilst police were looking for him following the incident.

Kim Halsall, prosecuting, said Grimes had rented a flat in Burnley from October 17.

He arranged for Duggan to stay with him.

He told police he knew nothing about the shooting when he was arrested on December 23.

But when detectives examined his phone, they discovered he had browsed the Runcorn and Widnes World website on the day after the shooting, October 16.

The judge said it was clear from his Facebook and phone that he knew all about the shooting.

He condemned him for harbouring a ‘very serious offender’.

Duggan was eventually arrested on November 25 and charged the following day.

David Rose defending Grimes said: “He was trying to improve himself by moving away from the area.”

He said his mother is a community nurse and she had not given up on him.

He said he has the full support of his family.

Speaking after the sentencing, DI Gary McIntyre, who led the investigation, said:  “This was an extremely serious offence and the sentence handed down to Duggan reflects that. 

“It sends out a strong message that if you choose to behave in this way and bring guns and violence to the streets of Cheshire then you will be punished for your actions. 

“It also reinforces the message that If you assist someone in evading the police then you will be dealt with.

“I hope that the sentencing today brings some closure for the victim, who has suffered greatly. 

 I am fully aware of the impact this case has had on him and the fact that the devastating injuries he sustained will affect him for the rest of his life. 

“Despite making good progress he still requires treatment for his injuries  including further operations and rehabilitation.  The nightmare is far from over.

“This incident also had a big impact upon the local community and I would like to thank all those affected for their patience, trust and confidence in the police. 

“We will not tolerate this type of crime and will ensure that those responsible are located and convicted.”