THREE balaclava thugs kidnapped, attacked then blasted a man to get their hands on his cousin's £50,000 jackpot win.
Jacob Clough-Massey was forced from his home at gunpoint and bundled into his own car in a grim ransom plot.
Carl MacDowall, Carlton Mullen and Kieran Kristensen then held him for hours against his will before blasting him in the leg.
The masked trio, all aged 23, made repeated calls to the victim's cousin, James Clough, demanding a piece of his winnings.
He had scooped £50,000 in a Facebook competition which "everybody knew about" a month before the horror.
After he refused to cough up, Jacob was dumped bloodied and "dazed" on an abandoned country lane in Halewood, Merseyside.
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MacDowall, Kristensen and Mullen "laughed and grinned" as they were jailed for a total of 56 years at Liverpool Crown Court.
They were convicted of kidnap, wounding with intent and possession of firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.
The court heard how Jacob was punched, jabbed with a shotgun and forced from his home on December 15, 2020.
After being dragged into the car, he was driven around for around an hour-and-a-half with blood pouring from his nose.
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He described hearing a "big bang" and "feeling a sensation in his leg" after he was shot by the masked assailants.
Jacob was then abandoned on a dark and isolated country lane but somehow managed to crawl for help despite the gunshot wound.
The court was told he now uses a walking stick after being left with permanent nerve damage.
MacDowall and Mullen was sentenced to 20 years in prison and three years on extended licence.
Kristensen was jailed for 16 years with a three year extended licence.
Detective Inspector John Mullen said: “The victim was put through a terrifying ordeal by MacDowall, Kristensen and Mullen.
“Sadly, we know that the consequences of carrying and using a gun can be catastrophic for families and our communities.
“MacDowall, Kristensen and Mullen were merciless as they attacked and ultimately shot their victim before leaving him injured on a quiet country lane.
“Thanks to the painstaking efforts of our officers to link their every move to this violent crime MacDowall, Kristensen and Mullen will spend a considerable amount of time in prison.
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“I hope this result shows the use of firearms, violence and intimidation has no place in our communities, and our officers will be relentless in our commitment to remove such criminals and weapons from our streets.”
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