Drug dealer who aimed loaded gun at PC jailed

A drug dealer who pointed a loaded gun at a police officer after a pursuit has been jailed for 14 years.

Jay Conway, 33, aimed a 9mm slide-action pistol in the direction of PC Dan Clayton as he rolled on to the floor when felled by a Taser stun gun.

Conway, of Devonshire Street, Salford, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and assault of an emergency worker, at Manchester Crown Court.

Judge Peter Horgan praised PC Clayton as a "shining example of police officers in this city who place themselves at grave personal risk every day without a moment's hesitation in protection of the public".

The court heard how on 20 May last year Conway evaded capture from two undercover Greater Manchester Police officers who saw him hand out packets of drugs to customers in Albert Park, Salford.

He ditched his electric bike after struggling with one of the officers and was spotted with the gun in his right hand in a chase.

Conway grabbed a pedal cycle as he left the park and PC Clayton took up the chase.

Helen Longworth, prosecuting, said PC Clayton heard an officer over the radio say that a male was fleeing but was unaware Conway was seen with a firearm.

He caught up with Conway who refused to stop and attempted to take hold of him, which caused him to fall to the ground with a bundle of Class A drugs spilling from his hand onto the road.

As Conway ran away PC Clayton warned him to stop as he had a drawn a Taser, which he fired at him as he ran to remount his bike.

"The Taser seemed ineffective as the defendant rolled on the floor with two hands holding the firearm, pointing it directly at the officer and causing him to fear for his life," said Longworth.

The officer shouted "gun, gun, gun" taking cover as Conway fled and warned off a council enforcement officer who attempted to intervene.

Conway dropped the gun on nearby scrubland and was arrested the next day.

In a victim personal statement, PC Clayton said as the gun was pointed at him: "I was thinking of my pregnant wife and how she might have to bring up our child alone."

The court heard Conway had various previous convictions including two separate assaults on emergency workers and was on licence after a three-year jail term in June 2023 for Class A drug supplying.

David Bentley, defending, said Conway carried a gun for "self protection" after he was attacked with a machete by a group of males in 2015 and suffered fractures in August 2021 when he was mowed down in an attempt to steal his bike.

Conway had struggled with his mental health over a period of time, he said, and a psychiatric report indicated he fulfilled the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Judge Peter Horgan told Conway: "You are a mature man who cannot rely on immaturity in any way to explain your actions."

The firearms offence was "a clear escalation in a pattern of violent offending".

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: "I am proud of our officers. They acted courageously to confront an armed man who is now rightly behind bars."

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