Detectives are investigating claims that a gangland hitman has confessed to gunning down a little boy – 13 years after the murder.

Paul Seddon, 39, was convicted by a jury of shooting dead Dillon Hull, five, in Bolton in 1997. He was jailed for a minimum of 25 years.

But he never admitted to the murder and even shouted from the dock as he was sent down: “I didn't pull the trigger. It wasn't me.”

Now it is claimed he has confessed from his prison cell to killing Dillon, who was shot in the head while walking down a street with stepfather John Bates.

Detectives at Greater Manchester Police say the claim that Seddon has now made a confession is unconfirmed, but will be fully investigated.

Det Supt Martin Bottomley, from GMP's Cold Cases Review Unit, said: “The allegations are unsubstantiated, but we will be looking into them without a doubt.”

Seddon – of Chorley New Road, Bolton – was wearing a motorcycle crash helmet when he leaped out of the shadows and fired four shots at Dillon and Mr Bates.

One bullet hit the boy and another hit his stepfather, who survived.

Preston Crown Court heard that Seddon was paid £5,000 to shoot Mr Bates, a small-time dealer who it was said had fallen out with gangland drugs boss Billy Webb.

Mr Justice Forbes described his crime as 'truly appalling' and said he had 'never shown the slightest remorse'.

He said: “You brought death to an innocent little boy who had the tragic misfortune to be holding your target's hand."

Two others were jailed for a total of 34 years for their part in planning the assassination of Mr Bates.

Webb, 42, was shot dead at his Wigan home in 2001.

It is claimed Seddon has also admitted dumping the gun in a lake about a mile from Dillon's home.

A GMP spokesman said: “If he was to get in touch with us to give us a confession, and give us the murder weapon, we would be very interested in that.”

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