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Merseyside and Chester Drug
and Gun Gang have been Sentenced
MERSEYSIDE Police and Cheshire
Constabulary have welcomed the sentences of 12 men and 1 woman, collectively for a total of
111.5 years imprisonment, for firearm and drug conspiracy Offences at Liverpool
Crown Court, Tuesday, 14 June 2016.
The charges relate to the investigations into drug supply in Cheshire and four
shootings between September 2014 and April 2015 in the Speke, Whiston and Huyton
areas of Merseyside.
► 31 year old David McMullan, from Huyton, was sentenced to
2 life
imprisonments with a minimum term of 12.5 years for conspiracy to possess
firearms and arson with intent to endanger life, and 4 years for blackmail,
to run concurrently
► 31 year old Paul Remedios,
from Widnes,
was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 5
years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, 5 years for conspiracy to
supply cocaine and 3 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, all to run
concurrently
► 19 year old Callum Tombs,
from
Sutton Manor, was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess
firearms
► 33 year
old Sean Smith, from Widnes,
was sentenced to 6 1/2 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess
firearms
► 27 year
old Scott Smith, from Widnes,
was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years imprisonment
for conspiracy to possess firearms, 7 years imprisonment for conspiracy to
supply heroin, 5 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and 3 years for
conspiracy to supply cannabis, all to run concurrently
► 31 year
old Victoria Galloway, from Widnes, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess
firearms, 5 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply cocaine and 2 years for
conspiracy to supply cannabis, to run concurrently
► 23 year old Kieran Blair of no fixed abode was
sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 6 years
imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, 6 years for conspiracy to supply
cocaine and 7 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, all to run concurrently
► 48 year
old Andrew Hughes, from Widnes,
was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, 5
years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, 5 years for conspiracy to
supply cocaine and 5 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, all to run
concurrently
► 26 year old Michael Loughran,
from Runcorn, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply
heroin, cocaine and cannabis
► 25 year old Stephen McCarten,
from
Runcorn, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply
heroin and cocaine
► 21 year old Jordan Ferns,
from
Widnes, was sentenced to 2 years suspended for conspiracy to supply heroin and
cocaine
► 19 year old Tyrone Grimes,
from
Widnes, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for possession of a Taser, 18
months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and 6 months for bringing a prohibited
article into prison, to run consecutively
► 27 year old Terence O'Donnell,
from Liverpool, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for assisting an offender
On April 23, 2015, a warrant was execution by Cheshire Constabulary, at a flat in
Widnes, inside which an 'Aladdin's Cave' was discovered, including three
firearms and drugs paraphernalia. A detailed forensic search was carried out at
the property and numerous items were seized; this provided detectives with
strong evidence that the flat was being used by an OCG for the supply of
controlled drugs; and storage of a number of powerful weapons and viable
ammunition.
Following forensic examination it was established that of the weapons recovered; a Glock, a Browning self loading pistol and a St Etienne French revolver; the Glock had been used in 4 drive by shootings in Merseyside, and the St Etienne
revolver in 1 of these shootings.
► The 1st shooting took place in Eastern Avenue, Speke, on 23 September 2014. 2
offenders arrived in the road on a scrambler bike at around 1.30pm and fired
shots towards a man in the street, resulting in damage to a house.
► The 2nd incident happened in Blundells Lane, Whiston, on 13 January, 2015. At
around 8.00pm, a man was shot and injured as he walked along the road. He was
taken to Whiston Hospital and found to have a bullet entry and exit wound over
his right shoulder blade.
► The 3rd incident happened in Lincombe Road, Huyton, on 11 March 2015. On this
occasion, 2 men received gunshot wounds outside a house on Lincombe Road.
► The 4th shooting took place on Copperwood Drive in Whiston, on 10 April, 2015,
after a chase involving occupants of an Audi firing shots at a VW Passat, which
left a passenger of the VW Passat with serious injuries. The victim's life was
saved but he was left with a severed spine and is now paralysed from the chest
down.
David McMullan had also denied an offence of arson following an incident at
Penmann Crescent, Halewood on 18 April, 2015. McMullan had already pleaded
guilty to an offence of blackmail against a relative of the occupants of the
address targeted in the arson attack.
Scott Smith, Kieran Blair and Andrew Hughes had previously admitted conspiracy
to possess firearms with intent to endanger life.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Tivendale from Merseyside Police Matrix Major
Crime Unit said:- "We are pleased that this reckless organised crime group
has been removed from our streets for the foreseeable future. We have seen again
that criminals who use firearms are throwing away their life and destroying that
of others. The sentencing demonstrates just how strongly we will deal with those
involved in gun crime and drug supply, and should strongly deter those who are
considering this path of criminality.
Serious and organised crime remains a priority for Merseyside Police, and we
will continue to take positive action against those who blight our communities.
Information from the public is vital and we will continue to act on all that we
receive.
My message to those engaged in organised crime is clear: we know who you are, we
can see where you are operating, and we will come knocking."
Chief Inspector Mike Evans from Cheshire Constabulary said:- "Today,
members of an organised crime gang that brought misery, fear and intimidation to
the streets of Widnes and Liverpool have collectively been jailed for a total of
more than 110 years. The sentences handed down reflect the severity of their
crimes and the significant impact that their behaviour had on local people.
A property in Widnes was used as the 'safehouse' for the gang; it was here that
they stored the firearms used in the shootings in Merseyside along with cash and
other items. They brought their criminal activities to the streets of Widnes and
often carried out their drug related activity in public places during the day
and night with blatant disregard for anyone else. It became clear that the OCG
was controlling drug distribution in Widnes. It was a significant drug dealing
enterprise, who believed they were above the law and untouchable; now they are
paying the ultimate price for their criminal activity."
Chief Inspector Evans added:- "A dedicated team of officers from both
Cheshire and Merseyside Police have spent hours securing evidence, searching for
witnesses and painstakingly analysing exhibits as part of this complex case to
ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. Cheshire Constabulary is
committed to tackling organised crime. We will not tolerate those who choose to
come into Cheshire believing it is an easy target; be warned as it is only a
matter of time before we catch up with you. Organised crime blights local
communities and residents can rest assured that our efforts will continue. The
successful conclusion of this case has resulted in a number of dangerous
individuals being taken off the streets for a very long time."
Cheshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, David Keane, said:- "Having seen
the threat posed by organised criminal gangs to our communities, I'd like to
congratulate Chief Inspector Evans and his team for this excellent outcome.
Removing these sorts of people from our communities, and our streets, will send
a strong message to other criminal gangs that live, or operate, in Cheshire,
that this Police Force will bring you to justice."
Anyone with information in relation to Merseyside gun crime is asked to contact
the MSOC Guncrime hotline on:- 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800
555 111. |
