But judge Mr Justice MacDuff told Cummins he must serve at least 3 1/2 years before he could be considered for parole, adding: "It was by good fortune he (Mr Greenwood) was not more seriously injured than he was." Cummins, who had a string of previous convictions for robbery, fled Wythenshawe after the shooting. He was arrested by armed police in a hotel in Blackpool three days later. The still-loaded gun was found in a sock.