Twelve 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 five from Shildon among those in court.
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 and 31 year-old Gary John Kays, who is from Liverpool was handed a three-year and five months prison term.
Those from Shildon included Lesley Coglan, 49 of Primitive Street, who was jailed for two years and four months for supplying heroin and amphetatine, and 27 year-old Brett Robinson of Wesley Crescent who received 20 months for supplying heroin.
Simon Clark, aged 31 from Jubilee Road, was also handed a two year prison sentence for four heroin supplies.
Janette Norman, 54, of Burnie Gardens was given a six-month community order with curfew for supplying or offering to supply amphetamine, and 56 year-old Vivien Dent of Hackworth Road was handed a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years, for being concerned in the supply of heroin.
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.”
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
