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A group who "flooded the
streets of Sefton with Class A and Class B drugs" are banged to rights
A group who were responsible for flooding the streets of
Sefton with Class A and Class B drugs have been sentenced to a total of over 41
years in prison. 15 people were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court following the
culmination of a 10 month long undercover investigation into the supply of
heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and cannabis across the Southport, Seaforth and
Waterloo areas. Warrants were executed at addresses across Southport, Formby,
Birkdale, Litherland, Bootle and Seaforth in April as part of an ongoing
Merseyside Police Operation to tackle serious and organised crime. In addition
to the arrests cultivated cannabis was found together with hydraulic presses and
other equipment for the production of Class A drugs. Detective Inspector
Mike Dalton said:- "The sentences issued by the Court reflect the severity
of the offences and is the successful culmination of a lengthy investigation
focusing on the people responsible for serious and organised crime on the
streets of Merseyside. Our investigation was put in place after members of the
public raised concerns about drug dealing in their communities. Since the
arrests I am delighted to say that we have received feedback that these areas
have improved. This group of individuals had links to organised crime groups in
Sefton and were living a lifestyle which was well beyond their means. Now they
will serve lengthy periods of time behind bars. No one should have to put up
with drug dealing, and the associated crime it brings. I want to give the
community my reassurance that we will continue to work together to improve the
quality of life in our neighbourhoods and make our communities stronger. I would
also like to reassure that the public that we are relentless in our pursuit of
those involved in serious and organised crime and we are committed to making our
streets safer for everyone. If you are aware of drugs crime, or have information
about those involved in serious and organised crime, in your area, let us know
and we will take positive action and help you to improve your community. Calls
to Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111 are anonymous and information provided could
give us the opportunity to take positive action in your neighbourhood."
The following people have been
sentenced:-
► Kelsey Higgins, 20, from Seaforth, was sentenced to
3 years and 8 months.
► Kyle Horrocks, 20, from Bootle, was sentenced to 3
years.
► Anthony Donnelly, 38, from Liverpool, was sentenced
to 3 years and 4 months.
► Thomas Mitchell, 54, from Bootle, was sentenced to
10 months.
► Bradley Brown, 30, from Ford, was sentenced to 4
years.
► Gita Fritdenberga, 31, from Ford, was sentenced to 3
years.
► Paul Fagan, 25, from Liverpool, was sentenced to 4
years.
► Anthony Durney, 52, from Liverpool, was sentenced to
3 years.
All the above pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
► Dawn Bennett, 35, from Southport, pleaded guilty to
the supply of Class A drugs and was sentenced to 2 years.
► Gareth Shaw, 35, from Southport, pleaded guilty to
the supply of Class A drugs and was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months.
► A 17 year old, from Waterloo, pleaded guilty to the
supply of Class B drugs and was given a rehabilitation order and a 6 month
curfew.
► Mark Clarke, 18, from Waterloo, has pleaded guilty
to the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, and was sentenced to 12 months in a
Young Offenders Institute.
► Aaron Curran, 21, from Waterloo, has pleaded guilty
to the supply of Class A drugs, and was sentenced to 30 months.
► Gary Ireland, 24, from Waterloo, also pleaded guilty
to the supply of Class A drugs and was sentenced to 31 months.
► Carl Mercer, 43, of Riddock Road, Liverpool, pleaded
guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession with intent
to supply Class B drugs and abstracting electricity and was sentenced to 5 years
and 1 month.
► Jonjo Webb, 26, from the Wirral, has pleaded guilty
to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and is due to be sentenced.
► Liam Dunn, 27, from Birkenhead, has pleaded guilty
to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and is due to be sentenced. |
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Lytham Festival ready to
bring more fresh UK talent to the Fylde Coast
LYTHAM Festival is fast carving a reputation for bringing
some of the freshest talent on the UK music scene to the Fylde Coast. The
Festival's Stage Too, at Victory Hall, has a packed line up of artists
performing, over 1 August to 7 August 2016, with a variety of upcoming acts
alongside some more well known names. Selecting the acts for Stage Too, involved
scouring the UK music scene, using social media and industry contacts, to find
the latest thing that is going to make it big. Set in the relatively small
surroundings of Victory Hall the gigs at Stage Too will have an intimate feel
with slightly more than 200 tickets available on each night, giving revellers
the chance to get up close and personal with the artists.
Ian Hooper Director of Poulton-Le-Fylde based GB Music Events and his team Dave
Benkel and Matt Bamber, have been working with Lytham Festival organisers Cuffe
and Taylor to organise the line up for Stage Too.
"When we discussed Stage Too with Cuffe and Taylor we were all agreed that we
wanted to offer people a chance to see some really cool up and coming acts that
you just wouldn't get on the main stage. We also wanted to make sure that we are
giving people a whole range of different styles to choose from. We've delivered
that with a truly eclectic line up on Stage Too which we feel compliments all
the other stages and events taking place throughout the course of Lytham
Festival. There is some serious buzz on social media and within the industry
about lots of this years' acts and we are delighted we have been given the
opportunity to work with the team at Cuffe and Taylor. Stage Too really gives
people a chance to see a range of fantastic performers in intimate surroundings;
you don't want to miss it." said Ian.
Kicking off the Stage Too action, on Monday, 1 August 2016, will be R&B singer
songwriter Lemar. Triple MOBO and double BRIT award winner Lemar, who is no
stranger to huge performances having shared the stage with the likes of Beyonce
and Justin Timberlake. However, this performance at Stage Too will give fans the
chance to get up close and personal with him in the 250 capaCity venue.
Tuesday, 2 August will see former X-Factor hopeful and I'm A Celebrity… Get Me
Out of Here! runner up Jake Quickenden take to the stage. Jake is riding high on
the back of the release of his latest single Blindfold and his new EP New
Chapter back in April 2016.
Then on Wednesday, 3 August 2016, Stage Too will be taking a more indie edge
with Leigh four-piece The Lottery Winners on the bill. Having recently played
the Etihad Stadium in the build up to a Manchester City game, this will be an
altogether more intimate affair for fans. They're also joined on the night by
Merseyside band The Hummingbirds.
Thursday, 4 August 2016, offers an R&B style for festival goers with MOBO award
winning MiC Lowry. Gathering a huge online following over recent years the 5
piece are well known for their stunningly arranged harmonies that they'll be
bringing to Lytham.
The Last 1 on the list so far, on Friday, 5 August 2016, sees Blackburn based
singer songwriter Nathan Grisdale bring his boy next door looks and pop sounds
to Lytham. Currently on his Back to Basics tour, Nathan has been signed to Boxx
Records since 2014 and is a big hit with his dedicated army of teenage fans.
Rounding off the week on Saturday 6 Room 94 give a distinctly rock flavour to
proceedings. Citing their influences as Blink 182, The Weekend, All Time Low and
Drake, this rock pop outfit enjoy playing their music loud so are sure to keep
Stage Too bouncing.
Lytham Festival director Peter Taylor added:- "We're delighted with the
line up on Stage Too this year and are sure that our customers will be too. The
venues that we're using are a really key part of what we're trying to achieve as
well; encouraging people to enjoy a more intimate experience with some
incredibly talented musicians. It is a real testament to where Lytham Festival
is that we're able to attract artists who are quite literally on the brink of
becoming the next big thing."
Organisers Cuffe and Taylor have already revealed Noel Gallagher's High Flying
Birds, Canadian rock giant Bryan Adams, The Village People, Bay City Rollers and
musical theatre band Collabro are among those who will headline in the main
Lytham Green Proms Arena.
A host of other artists will also will also perform throughout the Festival's
fringe events across 5 stages throughout the week.
There will also be special outdoor film
screenings of:- 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and
'Labyrinth', at Lytham Hall and the UK's largest ever seaside cinema,
will showcase:- 'Star Wars - The Force Awakens' at the Lytham
Green Proms Arena.
For more details about all events at Lytham Festival 2016 go to:-
LythamFestival.com. |
