THREE men have pleaded guilty to possessing a shotgun following the shooting of a teenage boy in Runcorn.

Sean Davies, Wayne Griffiths and Philip Horan, all from Runcorn, appeared at Chester Crown Court today via a video link from HMP Altcourse.

All three pleaded guilty to possessing a shotgun with intent to cause fear of violence.

Davies also admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Davies, 30, of Greenbridge Close, Castlefields, Griffiths, 28, of Gaunts Way, Hallwood Park, and Horan, 27, of Greenbridge Close, Castlefields, were remanded in custody.

The trio had previously pleaded not guilty to section 18 wounding with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

A trial had been set for May 29 but today all three pleaded guilty to an amended charge.

A fourth defendant Tony Evans, 28, of Ruthin Court, Runcorn has already pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

His case was listed for mention today.

All four defendants will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on June 22.

The case relates to an incident when a 16-year-old boy was shot whilst sitting in a silver Ford Mondeo parked on the Croft in Runcorn on Thursday, November 30, last year.

The boy suffered life changing injuries after being shot in the leg by a sawn off shotgun.