Members of a major criminal gang have been given prison sentences amounting to more than 60 years for supplying and dealing in drugs across the north east and north west, with six from Bishop Auckland among those jailed.
They were caught as a result of a lengthy surveillance and intelligence-gathering operation named ‘Skyhawk’, which culminated with 200 officers involved in early-morning raids at properties across County Durham and Merseyside in early February 2013.
At Teesside Crown Court on Thursday 25th September, Timothy John Lister, aged 40 from Consett, was sent to jail for 16 years; Sam Turnbull, 36, from Hetton-le-Hole received a sentence of 11 years and two months and Alan Crawford, 42 of Houghton-le-Spring, was handed a nine-year term.
Stephen John Golding, aged 33 from Liverpool will go to jail for five years and six months; Ian McCabe, 43 from Pittington will also serve more than five years in prison.
Those from Bishop Auckland included 36 year-old Angela Hauxwell, of West Lane, who was jailed for three years, and 51 year-old Michael Yorke of St John’s Walk, Escomb, who received 28 months.
Stephen Garnett, of Lime Terrace, Bridge Place, was handed a sentence of 27 months. The 33 year-old also had a week added to his sentence for returning to court late after lunch.
Richard Thomson, 33 of no fixed abode, got 27 months for supplying diazepam and heroin, and Andrew Ballan, aged 31 of Wensleydale Square, was given 20 months for supplying heroin.
Mark Wright of Princes Street was also jailed for supplying heroin and was locked up for 18 months, while a sentence of 32 months was handed to Andrew Hood, 44, who gave his address as Holme House Prison.
Det Chief Insp Victoria Fuller, head of Durham Constabulary’s specialist crime operations unit, said the gang had operated across the north east and north west of England.
“The sentences given by the court demonstrate very clearly that those who choose a life of organised crime will be caught and dealt with.
“The men we arrested were, quite simply, horrible people who only cared for themselves. At no stage did they give a single thought to the misery their offending inflicted on communities or the innocent people caught up in their activities.
“This is not just about the damage drugs themselves may cause but the associated crime which can badly affect communities, not just in our area but others as well. Our aim is to keep the communities of County Durham and Darlington safe, and the fact we arrested people from Merseyside, Humberside and the Greater Manchester area as well as the north east shows how this type of crime cuts across boundaries.
“People who choose a career in crime should be aware there are no hiding places. Wherever they operate, and whatever type of crime they move into they should be looking over their shoulders, because we know who they are and sooner or later we will catch up with them.”
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
