Murder probe police search house

Andrew Boland was shot in the hallway of his home

Armed police have raided a house in the hunt for clues linking a gun to the murder of a criminal in his home.

Andrew Boland, 35, of Brigade Drive, Stretford, Greater Manchester, was shot by two masked men who burst into his home on 24 March 2004.

Detectives carried out a search warrant on a house in Sale on Friday morning.

"This investigation is very much alive and we are committed to finding Andrew's killers," said Det Supt Tony Cook of Greater Manchester Police.

Officers carried out a forensic search of the house in the Ashton-on-Mersey area.

Child threatened

Mr Boland was known to be involved in supplying drugs - mainly cannabis - and police have not ruled out a drugs link in the murder.

His partner, Angela, and her sons were at home when he was murdered.

Her nine-year-old son answered the door to the two men - one carried a gun, the other was brandishing a brick.

The gunman pointed his weapon at the child's head and told him: "Go upstairs before I shoot you."

Angela's 11-year-old son hid in the kitchen while the masked men shot Mr Boland - known as Bo - in the chest in the hallway.

Mr Boland, who had three children of his own, was taken to Trafford General Hospital where he died from his injuries.