Gang jailed over conspiracy
to supply controlled drugs
A gang who brought misery to the
streets of Merseyside and further afield, through a conspiracy to supply Class A
controlled drugs, on Tuesday, 12 September 2017, been jailed for more than 135
years. A total of 21 people appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing
following a 16 month Merseyside Police operation targeting the supply of
controlled drugs in:- Anfield, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire
and Devon and Cornwall. During the course of the operation over 100 people were
arrested and 12kg of high quality Class A drugs were recovered together with a
quantity of firearms and ammunition, cash and stolen vehicles.
The following all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs:-
► Francis Fearon, 30, was jailed for 11 years and 4
months.
► Steven Harrison, 28, was jailed for 11 years and 4 months.
► Jamie Jarvis, 29, was jailed for 11 years and 4 months.
► Edward Murphy, 26, was jailed for 11 years and 4 months.
► Jamie Gray, 28, was jailed for 6 years 8 months.
► Mark Forster, 30, was jailed for 6 years 8 months.
► Steven Gandy, 31, was jailed for 6 years.
► Lewis Aspinwall, 22, was jailed for 6 years.
► Walter Corran, 24, was jailed for 6 years 8 months.
► Liam Dickinson, 34, was jailed for 6 years 8 months.
► John Mangan, 31, was jailed for 8 years 8 months.
► William Summerill, 26, was jailed for 7 years and 8 months.
► James Tyrell, 25, was jailed for 6 years and 8 months.
► Francis Usher, 29, was jailed for 6 years.
► Eddie Hamilton, 36, was jailed for 5 years.
► Callum Armitage, 19, was jailed for 4 years.
► A 16 year old male was given a 12 month referral order.
► A 16 year old male was given a youth rehabilitation order, a 3 month curfew
and 6 month referral order.
► Rikki Doran, 30, was jailed for 5 years.
► Ataf Ali, 26, from Bradford, was jailed for 6 years.
► Abaid Jamil, 29, from Bradford, was jailed for 4 years and 9 months.
Detective Superintendent Lee Turner said:- "This operation was put into
place after members of the public raised concerns about drug dealing in their
community. Organised crime groups like this, who deal in the wholesale supply
and distribution of controlled drugs, don't care about the impact that supply of
drugs has in their neighbourhoods. These individuals expanded their criminal
enterprise by setting up a drug supply network in:- Lancashire, Devon and
Cornwall, North Wales and Manchester. But I would like to reassure the decent
members of our communities that Merseyside Police is committed to tackling the
supply of drugs and we will continue to proactively tackle criminal gangs who
think nothing of flooding the streets with dangerous drugs in order to profit
from other people's misery. When we receive information about drug related crime
and gun crime we will act. In relation to drug dealing, we often have to carry
out an extensive operation, which can take some months, to gather evidence to
ensure that when we get those involved to court the only option available is a
prison sentence. This was a very thorough investigation by a committed team of
detectives over a considerable period of time. It is a reflection of their hard
work and commitment, and the strength of the evidence in this case, that the
defendants all pleaded guilty and time and money was not wasted on a trial."
Detective Superintendent Lee Turner added:- "I would like to take this
opportunity to thank the detectives involved in investigating this complex and
far reaching drugs conspiracy and prosecuting barrister Henry Riding and the
Crown Prosecution Service for all their hard work in bringing this case to a
successful conclusion. We will continue to take action but we cannot do this
without the supPort of the public. We rely on our communities to tell us when
there are criminal issues in their area so that we can take positive action and
protect our communities. Any information supplied to us in relation to serious
and organised crime will be acted upon."
Anyone with information about those involved in serious and organised crime,
including the supply of controlled drugs and use
of firearms, can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.
Throughout the course of the investigation the following results have been
achieved to date:-
► 102 arrests.
► 93 searches.
► The recovery of 12kg of high purity Class A drugs.
► Several kilos of Class B drugs.
► The recovery of 6 viable firearms and ammunition.
► Gang jailed over conspiracy to supply
controlled drugs.
► Cash seizures of over ₤50K and the recovery
of 3 stolen vehicles.
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Appeal following a fail to
stop road traffic incident in Litherland
MERSEYSIDE Police have issued an appeal
for witnesses after a fail to stop road traffic incident, on 10 August 2017, on
Princess Way, Litherland. Merseyside Police have said that this incident took
place at around 8.30pm. we are told that the victim and their partner were
driving in a white coloured Kia when they turned on to Princess Way, Litherland,
towards Church Road, when they were cut up by a black coloured 4x4 type vehicle,
possibly a Range Rover or Ford Kuga. The vehicle has collided with their car as
it cut in front possibly intending to turn left near to the Lathom Club. During
the incident the 4x4 vehicle rammed the victim's vehicle. Other vehicles were
also reported to have been struck by the offending vehicle. The occupants of the
4x4 described as 4 white males with their faces covered are alleged have then
damaged the car using baseball bats whilst demanding money. Enquiries are
ongoing to identify these offenders.
Detective Inspector Robbie Moss said:- "This is a really concerning
incident for the local community. We are keen to speak to any members of the
public or drivers that may have witnessed the incident. I would urge drivers to
consider their whereabouts at this time and check any DashCam footage."
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact:- 101 or call
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.
5 Teens issued with
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts in Crosby
MERSEYSIDE Police Officers have been
working in conjunction with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) in
investigating a series of suspected arson incidents in the Rimrose Valley area
of Crosby area earlier this month. Following enquiries, a group of teenagers
aged between 13 and 15 have been identified and issued with Acceptable Behaviour
Contracts (ABCs). This means that Officers have spoken to appropriate adults and
agreed a course of action with the teenagers. Officers from the local Community
Policing Team will continue to monitor the area and will also robustly deal with
any breaches of these ABCs.
Station Manager Paul Kay, Arson Reduction Co-ordinator for Merseyside Fire and
Rescue Service, said:- "Arson is a serious criminal offence which puts
people's lives at risk, causes damage to homes, businesses and community
facilities and impacts on wildlife and the environment. It can range from
mindless criminal damage to a deliberately targeted attack but, either way, the
potentially deadly consequences remain the same. If fire appliances are called
out to deliberate fires this may delay the response to other emergencies, which
could endanger lives elsewhere. We want to make people aware that deliberately
setting fires in a public place is arson and, if caught, those responsible may
face legal action."
Local Policing Superintendent Matt Boyle said:- "This issue was
understandably causing worry and distress to the people of Crosby and
following some great partnership work involving Merseyside Fire and Rescue
Service (MFRS) and ourselves, action has been taken, with the full support of
the families of those involved. I would like to emphasise how seriously we treat
suspected arson and all anti social behaviour, and any information will be acted
upon, so contact us early on and we can deal quickly and effectively with any
problems. ABCs are an early intervention which we will look to pursue against
individuals who are perceived to be engaging in anti social behaviour. It allows
people to cease and change certain activities they are involved in. Breaches of
the order will lead to warnings and if necessary further, more serious action."
Anyone with information on anti social behaviour is asked to contact:- 101 or
you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and for
free, on:- 0800 555 111 or report
online.
People urged to get their blood
pressure checked
MORE than 49,000 people in Liverpool
are at risk of a stroke, heart attack or kidney disease in Liverpool because
they do not know they have high blood pressure.
Now a special roadshow; organised by Public Health Liverpool and Liverpool CCG is taking to the streets of the City to encourage people to check their blood
pressure, as part of the national:- 'Know Your Numbers' campaign.
High blood pressure is the most common long term health condition and 2nd
only to smoking as the highest risk factor in causing premature death.
Around 15% of people in Liverpool (68,214) have been diagnosed with high blood
pressure, but it is believed 1 in 4 of the population has the condition,
meaning there are another 52,645 residents unaware they are at risk.
Key factors include:- eating too much salt, not eating enough fruit or vegetables,
being overweight and not exercising enough.
Councillor Paul Brant, Cabinet member for health, said:- "High blood
pressure is a silent killer and many people just do not know that they are at
risk.
The number of people that are undiagnosed in Liverpool is staggering and so we
are working hard to spread the word and encourage people to get their blood
pressure checked.
It can be a ticking time bomb and lead to conditions such as a stroke or heart
disease, but the good news is that it can easily be treated by improving diet,
losing weight or taking exercise. That's why we're getting out and about to
spread the message about the importance of knowing your numbers."
Dr Maurice Smith, GP from Mather Avenue Surgery in Allerton and Healthy
Liverpool's 'Living Well' clinical lead said:- "People who have
high blood pressure wouldn't necessarily have symptoms unless their levels are
dangerously high and then they suffer from headaches, nausea and impaired
vision.
Testing a person's blood pressure is very simple and straight forward and takes
minutes. We can then determine whether someone's levels are normal, borderline
or high and the reading would determine what course of action we take.
We very much work in partnership with our patients and it may be that if the
reading is borderline we could advise lifestyle changes such as getting more
active, giving up smoking, reducing salt intake and alcohol, losing weight and
eating a healthier diet. We may ask to see them in 3 months to re-test to see if
the levels have reduced.
When blood pressure levels are high we would consider various medication options
that reduce blood pressure as part of a shared decision making process with the
patient."
All Councillors in Liverpool are being offered a blood pressure check at the
next full Liverpool City Council, in Liverpool Town Hall, on Wednesday, 20 September
2017.
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