Killers given computer makeover to show how they will look after 30 years in prison to stop others from joining gangs

Detectives who worked tirelessly to have two underworld killers locked up for decades have released pictures of how the pair may look when they are finally freed in a bid to stop others getting involved with gangs.

Psychopaths Lee Amos, 33, and Colin Joyce, 29, were the heads of a gang which was blamed for a string of killings dating back two decades.

The violence culminated in two deadly drive by shootings - one at a funeral wake - which killed Ucal Chin, 24, and Tyrone Gilbert, 23, and left another man badly injured. Both killings took place whilst Amos and Joyce were on parole.

A billboard depicting what gang members Colin Joyce and Lee Amos, both jailed for life, could look like after 30 years of prison, is unveiled by police

Earlier this month Joyce was locked away for a minimum of 39 years whilst Amos got 35 years following a £5m trial in which six witness risked their lives to testify against them. They and their Gooch Close gang were jailed for a total of 220 years.

Now detectives determined to stop future hoodlums setting up crime rackets decided to show what the evil Joyce and Amos might look like when they have a chance of parole in the years 2048 and 2044 respectively.

Using computer software to age the pair, detectives then plastered the mocked up pictures on billboards across the South Manchester area where their gang operated.

The pair are portrayed as grey haired pensioners in the hope of putting off local youngsters from turning to organised crime.

Just to say...Police thank the people of Greater Manchester for information that led to the convictions of gang members including Colin Joyce and Lee Amos in a public billboard

Since the arrests of the pair last year the number of gang-related incidents in the area has been reduced by 92 per cent and there has not been a single fatal shooting since February 2008.

The families of Chin and Gilbert said: 'Nothing can ever bring back Ucal and Tyrone, and the people who took them from us may one day be released from prison and see their loved ones again. We will never see Ucal or Tyrone again.

'But we are delighted the people of Manchester can now see just how frail, old and pathetic these men will look like if they ever are released.

'They are not martyrs, they are not role models, and when you see them as pensioners we hope it makes people realise the consequences of getting involved with gangs and guns. It will ruin their lives.

'The people who came forward and testified during the trial helped bring Ucal and Tyrone's killers to justice, and in thanking them, we hope that it will encourage other people not to remain silent and speak out so we can put an end to violence on our streets.'

Greater Manchester Chief Constable, Peter Fahy, said: 'I hope that these images will make those people thinking of embarking on this type of lifestyle think again - life is a very long time.'

Joyce and Amos, who have been friends since they were children, had been trained up as enforcers and contract killers for the infamous Gooch Close gang in the Moss Side area of Manchester before being made bosses of the mob ten years ago.

During their reign of terror Amos and Joyce were feared to be involved in a string of punishment beatings, kidnappings for ransom and professional killings.

They ran a team of enforcers which in turn bullied a network of youngsters to deal heroin and cocaine for them - each making up to £2,000 a day.

They also used a series of safe houses to store a frightening armoury of weaponry including semi automatic pistols and sub machine guns.

Amos and Joyce shunned flashy clothes, luxury cars and exotic holidays but became so powerful and feared on their turf they were able to run their organised crime operation when they serving jail terms.

Their criminal status and bragging left many impressionable youngsters in the poverty stricken inner city district looking up to them as heroes.

Amos' late brother Stephen Amos - who was himself shot dead in a gangland hit - was also the best friend of Manchester United footballer Wes Brown.

The pair were finally arrested after a new bout of gun battles with rival gang, the Doddingtons, sparked by the fall out over the death of innocent schoolboy, Jessie James, 15, in September 2006.

Police used spy technology to establish the movements of the crime lords at the time of the executions and persuaded terrified ex-Gooch associates to testify against the mobsters in return for new lives in a witness protection programme.

Inquiries revealed a gun used in the murder of Gilbert had been used in six other shootings including another killing.

Amos - nicknamed 'Cabo' - and Joyce - nicknamed 'Piggy' - were convicted of murder, attempted murder and possessing firearms at Liverpool Crown Court.

Joyce, of no fixed address, was found guilty of two counts of murder in relation to the deaths of both Ucal Chin and Tyrone Gilbert, plus one count of attempted murder of Michael Gordon, and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life between January 2004 and January 2008.

Amos, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of the murder of Tyrone Gilbert and was also convicted of the attempted murder of Michael Gordon.

Three of their enforcers were convicted of murder, drug dealing and possessing firearms. Six other members of the gang were found guilty of firearms and drugs offences.

Six other foot soldiers were found guilty of a range of offences including drug dealing and gun running.

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