He fired four shots at a house - before fleeing the UK

A Leeds man who sparked an international manhunt after firing a gun at a house has been jailed today (Tuesday).

Ellis Thornton, aged 26, of no fixed abode in Leeds, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of ammunition without a certificate and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to eight years and three months.

Following an incident in January 2023, officers attended an address on Lister Lane in Halifax, where a firearm was used to cause damage to a property.

Thornton fired four shots at the house which hit two of the ground floor windows, the occupant of the address was not injured.

Thornton fled the UK in January 2023 with a woman from Leeds.

Rashawn Bedeau, aged 28, of Arley Street, was jailed for two years in January of this year for funding Thornton while he evaded authorities moving through Suriname and Mexico.

Thornton has been in custody in the United States after being arrested for an unrelated incident.

After extensive liaising with multiple agencies, Thornton was extradited back to the UK in April of this year where he was charged and remanded with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

Detective Inspector Andrew Ellis of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said: “We are pleased with today’s outcome and hope it serves as a clear deterrent to anyone considering the illegal use of firearms.

“West Yorkshire Police treat all incidents involving the criminal use of firearms with the utmost seriousness.

“Thornton showed a complete disregard for the safety of those inside the address, and the consequences of his actions could have been far more serious.

"We remain committed to thoroughly investigating offences of this nature and will use every capability available to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts.”