Gangland feud fear as drug dealer is shot dead

JASON BENNETTO

Crime Correspondent

A drug dealer was killed yesterday in a street gun battle in Manchester in what police fear may be the resumption of a gangland feud.

Nicky Murphy, 26, is believed to have been shot twice through the head in the Moss Side district in the early hours of the morning. Another man who was shot in the thigh is under armed guard in hospital.

Murphy, who was known as "Sailor", survived a bullet in the head and a kidnapping three years ago. He had been involved in drug dealing in which he and others took orders on mobile phones for crack cocaine which was delivered to doorsteps by couriers on mountain bikes.

Detectives and armed police were yesterday waiting at the hospital bedside of the wounded man. He had staggered into Manchester Royal Infirmary with a gunshot wound to the left leg shortly after police had found Murphy's body in Quinney Crescent on the Alexandra Park estate.

Several other people were treated for shock after the incident in an area once dubbed "Britain's Bronx". The Alexandra Park estate, which has been the scene of repeated shootings and drugs and gang-related violence, had enjoyed more than a year of relative calm.

Greater Manchester Police yesterday refused to comment on the latest outbreak of violence.

Local residents said they were woken at about 1am by shots in Quinney Crescent and neighbouring Rosegate Close.

A female resident said: "I was in bed when I heard the squealing of brakes and cars racing up and down. There was the sound of two gunshots and a few minutes after about five or six more. Then I heard another three or four rapid shots and the sound of a car driving away fast."