Three Liverpool men have been charged after dawn drugs across Merseyside which saw £25,000 heroin seized from a house in Kirkby.

The raids were carried out at nine addresses yesterday morning as part of a Titan investigation that saw huge drugs seizures worth £25m carried out last month.

Five people were arrested in the dawn drugs raids which saw officers carry out warrants at seven properties in Merseyside, one in West Yorkshire and one in North Wales this morning.

An estimated £25,000 of heroin – half a kilo – was seized from a house in Kirkby and large amounts of cash was found hidden at addresses in Vauxhall, Liverpool.

Today police confirmed Philip Dyer, 53, of Reading Street, Kirkdale, John Hinnigan, 52 of Christmas Street, Kirkdale have been have been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin.

John McMahon, 44, of Titchfield Street, near the city centre and and Paul Wilby, aged 46, of Leeds Road, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire have been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Dyer, Hinnigan and Willby have been kept in custody to appear before Liverpool City Magistrates Court today. McMahon was remanded to Walton jail and will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates Court on December 10.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Two defendants appeared in court on Wednesday to enter pleas over charges relating to fire risk breaches at Croftwood Care Home in Runcorn.

Graham Foote, 69, of Old Road, Beverley, Yorkshire, faces one count of failing to make a sufficient fire assessment and one of failing to co-operate with the premises’ operators Minster Care Management Ltd.

Surenda Patel, 69, of Station Road, Addlestone, Surrey, faces 13 charges over fire risk offences while employed as a director with Minster Care Management Ltd.

Minster Care Management Ltd faced 13 fire risk charges.

All the counts relate to Croftwood Care Home in Halton Lodge, Runcorn.

The case has been adjourned to November 25.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A brandy-bottle wielding man who chased his wife into busy Wavertree traffic told police “it’s our culture” when asked why he attacked her.

Romanian national Decebal Ion, 43, was jailed for six months at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court after trying to smash the bottle over his wife, Adriana Ion, and smacking a four-year-old boy, knocking him off his bike.

Ion, of Windel Street in Toxteth , pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and one of possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard Ion, who moved to the UK in 2009 and took up work as a Big Issue magazine seller, had drunk the entire bottle of brandy and claimed he could not remember the incident.

Kate Marchuk, prosecuting, told the court the pair were walking down Garrick Street, Toxteth, at around 9am on October 13 when witnesses heard a heated argument.

She said: “A struggle then followed with them appearing to wrestle with each other, falling onto cars parked in the street. She was seen to hit out at the defendant a number of times in self-defence. One of the people who witnessed this told them to stop but the defendant was then seen holding a glass bottle over his head.”

The court heard Ion chased the victim while trying to hit her with the bottle, but missed and fell to the floor in a drunken state.

Ms Marchuk said: “Mrs Ion ran out into busy traffic on Smithdown Road while trying to get away from the defendant.”

Ion then continued the chase while his wife shouted for the police, eventually sheltering in a stranger’s car while the driver and a passenger restrained him and took the bottle away.

The court heard he then walked off before smacking the child, who was among a group of people nearby.

Ms Marchuk said: “He told police he had a drink problem and was very drunk, having consumed a bottle and a quarter of brandy that day. Because of that he said he had no recollection of the events of that morning.

“He was asked if he thought it was acceptable behaviour to attack his wife, and he said that is what happens in their culture.”

The court heard Ion had not been convicted of any offence while in the UK, but no information on his criminal record in Romania was available.

Brian Smith, representing Ion, said: “To me he has demonstrated some contrition and certainly some remorse. He is aware that despite any cultural differences it is not acceptable and he has committed a serious offence.”

District Judge Wendy Lloyd, passing sentence, said: “You have caused your wife to run out into the road to escape you and the bottle your were brandishing. You then went on to assault the little boy, it seems he was just a victim of your uncontrollable anger.”

Ion’s family, sat in the public gallery, sobbed as he was led away to begin his prison sentence.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A St Helens man was today locked up for 15 years for historical sexual offences.

Stephen Bowden, 61, of Parbold Avenue, was found guilty of offences of rape and indecent assault against several victims and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The majority of the offences took place during the 1970s.

In a victim impact statement, read out to the court, one of his victims said: “Following the abuse I suffered, I have found it hard and had no self-esteem or self-confidence. I find it so hard to communicate with confidence, I hate to be the focus of attention. I found it hard to make friends, I don’t have any close friends.

“Because of what you [Bowden] did, I now find it hard to communicate with others and I am always anxious about what people are going to think of me. I hate to be the focus of attention and don’t like walking into a room with people I don’t know in. I rush and have to push myself to find myself getting to places early just because I don’t want to ask if it okay to sit there.

“You caused all of this, you took all of my confidence and self-esteem away. I can’t believe that I have to go through all the stress and worry of giving evidence in open court, when you could have just admitted your guilt and saved me all this unnecessary stress and worry.”

Detective Inspector Terry Davies said: “Bowden’s victims have shown an immense amount of bravery coming forward. Specially trained officers and lawyers in Merseyside Police’s Unity team have been by their side throughout the investigation and trial to provide support and to ensure their evidence was presented to the court and to see justice being done.

“Time should never be a barrier to obtaining justice and I hope today’s sentence gives his victims some sense of closure and vindicates their decision to come forward.

“ Merseyside Police takes every report of sexual offences extremely seriously, whether or not they are recent, and has dedicated officers within the force’s Unity Team who are specially trained to both thoroughly investigate allegations and make sure that those reporting them are properly supported.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that reports are properly and thoroughly investigated.”

People can call officers in the force’s specialist Unity team on 0151 777 1382. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Two brothers accused of a Liverpool city centre attack which left a man with “life altering” injuries appeared in court.

Matthew Webber, 29, was taken to hospital in a critical condition after sustaining serious head injuries outside Heebie Jeebies nightclub on August 8.

Doctors put Mr Webber in a medically induced coma following the incident, which happened at the junction of Seel Street and Colquitt Street at around 2.55am.

Police say he is still receiving treatment for what they have described as “life altering” injuries.

Jordan and Joseph Musumeci face allegations of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent against Mr Webber and assault against his friend, Nicholas Cakebread.

Joseph, 28, of Meaden Way in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, is also charged with a racially aggravated public order offence against a man named Jamie Fletcher.

Joseph appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today via video link from HMP Forest Bank.

He denied inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, but said he admitted inflicting it without intent.

Graham Pickavance, prosecuting, said at this stage the plea to the lesser charge was not accepted by the Crown.

Joseph, with short dark hair and wearing blue jeans and a polo shirt, also pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Cakebread.

But he denied the racially aggravated public order offence.

Jordan, 22, of Bold Street , Liverpool, with short spiky black hair and wearing stonewashed jeans and a blue sweatshirt in court, is yet to enter any pleas.

Mr Pickavance said the brothers also face charges relating to offences allegedly committed against another man, Nathan Davies, shortly afterwards.

He said Joseph is charged with assault and theft and Jordan with assault, but these matters have yet to be committed to the crown court by city magistrates.

Mr Pickavance added that CCTV footage of the incident was still to be viewed by the Crown.

Judge Anil Murray adjourned the plea and case management hearing until December 7.

A provisional trial, estimated to last four days, has been set for the week commencing February 1 next year.

Joseph was remanded in custody while Jordan was given bail with the conditions that he abide by an 8pm until 5am home curfew and does not contact the complainants.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A heroin addict who robbed his local Sayers bakery at knifepoint was jailed for more than four and a half years.

Lee Fairclough, 45, entered the store in County Road, Walton – where he was a regular customer – wielding a 9ins kitchen knife.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Fairclough robbed the shop, just around the corner from his home in Dane Street, to fund a £50 to £100 a day drug habit.

Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, said Rodney Nickson was working alone at around 2.30pm on August 21 this year, while a colleague was taking a break.

He said a plastic screen door which protects staff from members of the public had not been shut properly.

Fairclough, who was instantly recognised by Mr Nickson, pushed his way through the door, pointed the knife towards his victim and said “open the till”.

Mr Blasbery said Fairclough held the knife close to Mr Nickson’s stomach and added: “Unless you want this in your side, open the till.”

Mr Nickson pretended he did not know how to but after more threats he became scared and opened the till, allowing Fairclough to grab £125 and run away.

The court heard police received several anonymous tip-offs and arrested him after he was spotted entering a house.

When arrested Fairclough claimed he had not produced a knife, but later admitted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

The defendant’s 14 previous convictions for 29 offences include three robberies.

In 1997 he and another man raided a service station in Stanley Road, Bootle, vaulting a counter, making threats and taking £300.

Also that year he struck at a filling station in Brewster Street, Bootle with two others.

A female worker was confronted by a man with a knife before the contents of a safe were stolen.

In 2003, he robbed a man’s CD player at knifepoint and threatened to cut him if he called police.

Desmond Lennon, defending, said his client now “unreservedly” accepted responsibility and apologised to Mr Nickson, adding: “He is sorry and ashamed.”

He said Fairclough was homeless and his life had been blighted by drugs, but he was trying to seek help for his addiction in prison.

Judge Alan Conrad, QC, prosecuting, said Fairclough’s offending was aggravated by his past convictions for robbery.

He said: “You subjected a shopkeeper to a terrifying ordeal.”

Judge Conrad sentenced Fairclough to four years and eight months behind bars.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A couple who left a rabbit to starve to death in the cold weather were banned from owning animals for 10 years.

Clive and Samantha Bird, of Lime Street, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the white bunny.

Chester magistrates gave Clive, 50, and Samantha, 43, a 10-year disqualification order each, as well as 12-week prison sentences suspended for a year and 120 hours of unpaid community work each. They must also each pay £900 in costs.

The body of the emaciated rabbit was found in a hutch in their garden in February. Its feet, abdominal and groin areas were matted with urine and faeces.

RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said: “There was no clean or dry area for the rabbit to have rested nor was there any food provided.

“There was no sign of dental issues so we believe the rabbit would have suffered for at least four weeks before succumbing to starvation and effects of the cold.

“There was ample food and bedding available for the rabbit just yards away from the hutch so they could have easily cared for the rabbit but did not.”

He added: “I feel that rabbits are the most neglected animal we deal with, mainly because it is relatively easy to do it without being detected. People starving animals because they are out of sight, out of mind is not acceptable.

“This rabbit has essentially been incarcerated in his own faeces without the absolute necessities required to sustain life. This sort of failure and abhorrent neglect should not go unanswered.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A man appeared in court today charged with assisting an offender following the alleged murder of PC Dave Phillips.

Glen Nicholas Campbell Jones, 39, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, was charged with the offence yesterday.

He appeared before South Sefton magistrates court this morning.

Wearing a black donkey jacket and Adidas top, Jones spoke only to confirm his name and address.

No application for bail was made and he was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on December 14.

Jones is the sixth man to be charged following the alleged murder of dad-of-two PC Phillips in the early hours of Monday, October 5.

The Merseyside Police officer was killed after being hit by a stolen Mitsubishi pick-up truck in Wallasey as he tried to deploy a tyre-deflating stinger device.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A fugitive drug dealer was jailed after being caught in a 20 minute long 130mph motorway chase.

Adam Taylor had jumped bail after being caught selling heroin in Exeter and was on his way home to Liverpool when police tried to stop him for using a mobile phone.

He scattered traffic cones as he sped through road works and onto the hard shoulder to get away and police chased him at speeds up to 130mph for 31 miles until he lost control, hit the central reservation and crashed.

Taylor dodged fast moving cars as he ran across the other carriageway and away across fields before being tracked down by a police dog and arrested.

He was desperate to escape because he had jumped bail after being caught dealing in heroin for the second time in four years, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Taylor, 24, of Okehampton Street, Exeter, and formerly of Hansby Drive, Speke, admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply and dangerous driving.

He was jailed for a total of four years and banned from driving for five years by Recorder Philip Mott, QC.

He told him: ”Your driving shows how desperate you were to avoid apprehension.”

Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said Taylor was found with £80 cash and 289 wraps of heroin with a total weight of 49.34g and street value of £5,780 when his flat in Exeter was raided on May 29.

He was bailed but did not turn up at court and on August 11 was driving North in a Vauxhall up the M6 near Stoke-on-Trent when police saw him using a hand held mobile.

Mr Richings said: ”Police decided to stop him and he braked sharply and swerved into a coned off area of road works and accelerated away.

“The pursuit lasted for 20 minutes and covered 31 miles, which gives some idea of the average speed. He weaved across all three lanes and the hard shoulder at speeds reaching 130mph.

“During the pursuit he tried to deter the police by throwing objects such as Lucozade bottles out of the window into their path.

“He crashed into the central reservation and then ran across the motorway, dodging motor vehicles and was later caught by a police dog and arrested. He had no licence or insurance.

“The police described his driving as very dangerous and said it put a large number of road users at risk. This was at the highest end of dangerous driving.”

Emmi Wilson, defending, said: “The driving offence occurred while he was trying to avoid arrest on a warrant. It was fuelled by his desire to avoid being caught by the police.”

Taylor was previously jailed for two years at Exeter Crown Court in January 2012 for drug dealing when police saw him counting cash in his car in Bartholemew Street, Exeter.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A Walton bouncer who killed a customer could be moved to an open prison after serving just six months of his four year sentence.

The parents of the dead man, Scott Sheard, said they were appalled at hearing the news that Stuart Humphreys, who “poleaxed” their son leaving him severely brain damaged, was up for a security review.

In May Humphreys, 38, was jailed at Liverpool Crown court, after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Sheard, who he assaulted outside Destination Bar in Southport in 2009.

Mr Sheard, a Formby High old boy, suffered permanent brain damage and died in January, 2012, aged 26, after living the final years of his life in a nursing home.

Fenella Hill, Scott’s mother, told the ECHO that Humphreys could now move to an open prison, just six months into his sentence. A victim support charity informed her of the security review.

In a joint statement, Fenella and her husband Colin said: “We were surprised to learn that Mr Humphreys would get a review after just six months.

“We feel that it is too soon to allow him the freedom of an open prison. The result of his actions made Scott a prisoner in his own body for over two years before his death.

“We are heartbroken and it feels like justice hasn’t been served. It’s so unfair.”

Watch footage of the attack below

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A spokesman for the MoJ said: “We do not comment on individuals. Prisoners will always be located in a prison best suited to meet their individual security and rehabilitation needs.

“A prisoner’s security categorisation is assessed on a number of factors, and is regularly reviewed in the light of information available to the prison, the police and other agencies.”

The ECHO understands the MoJ is yet to make a decision in the case.

All prisoners are subject to a security categorisation, which is subject to review. The reviews are normally held by a board or single prison governor. Prisoners’ lawyers often make representations on behalf of inmates.

Humphreys, of Kingfield Road, Walton, denied manslaughter and initially claimed he had slapped Mr Sheard with “the heel of his hand”, because he believed he was going to punch him.

He claimed Mr Sheard or his friend Luke Rigby had threatened to stab him.

Justice Dove, sentencing Humphreys, said: “Just one blow was all it took to destroy Scott Sheard’s life. One blow to take away the chance he had as a young man to find fulfilment and establish a family life.

“One blow to leave those close to him, who loved him, in a world bereft of their son, their brother, their friend.

“It is unnatural for any parent to have to bury their child, but especially so and especially cruel in the circumstances of this case. I understand you did not intend any of that but I cannot wish it away. It happened.”

Scott’s step-dad, Colin Hill, read from a victim statement in which he said Mr Sheard’s last two years were “a living hell” during which his suffering was “sickening and savage”. He said: “His life was a miserable existence.”

Scott nearly died several times after the incident on Coronation Walk. Fenella gave up work to care for her son, and hoped he might be able to come home, one day.

Although Humphreys was initially arrested, he was not charged with an offence.

After Scott died, Fenella vowed to see justice for her son, and began a campaign to bring pressure on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Last October, the CPS changed their minds and charged Humphreys with manslaughter, five years after the incident.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

This is the shocking moment Southport nightclub bouncer Stuart Humphreys struck clubber Scott Sheard , who later died after suffering brain injuries.

CCTV footage from outside the Destination Bar in the resort shows Humphreys, 38, "make contact" with Mr Sheard on October 17, 2009.

Mr Sheard, 26, from Formby died in January 2012 after suffering permanent brain damage.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court, which was shown the CCTV footage, found Humphreys guilty of manslaughter on Friday.

Prosecutors said Humphreys, of Kingfield Road, Walton, "pole-axed" Mr Sheard, while Humphreys claimed he hit him with "the heel of his hand" because he believed Mr Sheard was about to punch him.

Doorman Stuart Humphreys has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Scott Sheard

He claimed that either Mr Sheard or his friend Luke Rigby had threatened to stab him after Mr Sheard lost his temper because he told him he could not take glass bottles outside.

And he said that he had not intended to push Mr Sheard backwards out of the club, which caused him to stumble.

However, after nearly eight hours of deliberations a jury found him unanimously guilty.

Humphreys was remanded on conditional bail and is set to be sentenced on May 19.

Family photograph of Scott Sheard

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A TRIO of defendants from Runcorn and Widnes have been sentenced for money laundering as part of a conspiracy to sell fake tickets to hundreds of fans attending Liverpool FC home games.

Jack Clarke, 19, of Afton in Widnes, Emily Bakewell, 20, of Fulbeck in Widnes, and James Wright, 19, of Havergal Street in Runcorn, were among 11 people sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, November 13.

Bakewell and Wright were given 12 month community orders are to undertake 80 and 180 hours of unpaid work respectively.

Clarke was told to undertake 160 hours of unpaid work.

Craig O’Donohue, 30, of Harrow Road, Anfield was jailed for four years and Paul Murgatroyd, 28, of Breck Road, Anfield, was jailed for three years and six months after both were convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.

A Merseyside police spokesman said that Murgatroyd and O’Donohue were arrested after officers from the force’s Economic Crime Team executed search warrants at houses in Anfield in February this year.

The spokesman added that items used in the production of counterfeit tickets such as printing equipment and materials were seized during the raids in Breck Road, Dewsbury Road and Harrow Road.

Police activity followed months of investigations into reports from hundreds of Liverpool fans, many from abroad, who the spokesman said had unwittingly responded to fraudulent adverts on the internet selling tickets for home games.

In some cases, victims paid money for tickets that were promised but never arrived in the post and others were met by individuals and given a ticket but then later refused entry because it was fake.

Detective Inspector Helen Bennett from Merseyside police’s Economic Crime Team said: “The victims have usually arranged a holiday or weekend break to the city to coincide with a home match and so have spent an awful lot of money up front.

“Many of the victims of this fraud had travelled from as far afield as America and Europe to get to a game and have been left bitterly disappointed, as well as out of pocket, when they have been turned away at the gate.

“Offences such as these leave a lasting, negative impression of our city on the victims and the police are committed to working with the club to target the criminals behind such scams and bring them to justice.

“To ensure that other people do not fall victim in the same way, our advice would be to always use official, legitimate and authorised websites to purchase tickets to any event.

“We would urge particular caution in the run up to the Christmas period when people are looking to buy gifts online and fraudsters may use the opportunity to exploit online shoppers.

“If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Other defendants convicted of money laundering and sentenced as part of the Merseyside police investigation included Alexandra Maria Kirby, 25, of Breck Road in Anfield who received a 14-week prison suspended for 18 months and was given 160 hours community service.

Frances Ellicott, 23, of Harrow Road in Anfield was handed a 12 month community order and told to undertake 60 hours unpaid work, while Laura Green, 22, of Holbeck Street in Anfield was given the same sentence.

Daniel Kercher, 19, of Frampton Road in Walton was also given a 12 month community order and handed a three month curfew from 7pm to 7am.

Siobhan Gazeley, 25, of Garmoyle Close in Wavertree was given a 12 month community order, as was Kieran Michael King, 22, of Snowberry Road in Stockbridge, who must also do 160 hours unpaid work.

Those who believe they may have been a victim of fraud online can report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A 23-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Garston teenager Vinny Waddington.

Ryan Bate, formerly of Earp Street in Garston but now of no fixed address, is alleged to have shot 18-year-old Vinny in Banks Lane, Garston, at around 9pm on July 14.

Bate is also charged with attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to a man called Francis Humphries, in connection with the same incident.

Vinny died after being shot while riding as a pillion passenger on a scrambler bike, which was being driven by Mr Humphries.

The bike had been chased by an Audi car.

Bate spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

District Judge Wendy Lloyd passed the case to Liverpool Crown Court where Bate will appear for a bail hearing on Wednesday, before Recorder of Liverpool Judge Clement Goldstone, QC.

Police said at the time the shooting was targeted, but Vinny’s family say he was not a gang member.

In a statement after his death, Vinny’s family said: “He was a normal 18-year-old young intelligent lad from the inner city who any working class family would relate to.

“This handsome boy meant the world to his dad along with his sister, brother, grandparents and entire family. He is leaving behind his dog, Bruno, who is going to deeply miss him, they were characters together – Vincent with his cheeky smile and Bruno being Bruno.

“Vincent was a huge part of his community and loved by everyone. When he was asked to be a godfather he couldn’t wait and now sadly that moment won’t come.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Five masked robbers who tortured a businessman and stabbed his pet dog were today locked up for 101 years.

Cab firm boss Chris Davidson was tied him up with electric cables and beaten up by the Merseyside gang, who travelled across the county to raid his home near Hull.

Mr Davidson’s Achilles was sliced and his finger was cut to the point where it was nearly severed.

The gang threatened to kill the 52-year-old’s elderly mum and stabbed his pet bulldog as they demanded access to a safe.

Mr Davidson’s housemate Neil Collingham was stabbed and his ear was almost sliced off.

Today, David Lewellyn, 29, John Tuffy, 28, Daniel Jones, 26, Jamie Hayes, 30, and Mark Platt, 30, were all jailed for a combined 101 years after admitting aggravated burglary.

Jamie Hayes from St Helens

Lewellyn, Tuffy, Jones and Platt also pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

A court heard that the men raided the house in Willerby on March 9, telling Mr Davidson he had “seriously p****d someone off”.

They were armed with knives, had a key to Mr Davidson’s safe and demanded £50,000 from it.

Daniel Jones, 25, from Prescot

Both men up were tied up with cables. When Mr Davidson attempted to free himself, one of the gang slashed his Achilles.

Feisty, a French bulldog, was knifed in the stomach after the men threatened to cut off his head. The pet required emergency surgery.

Detective Constable Dan Brittain, the officer in the case, said: “This was a particularly brutal attack that left both victims with quite significant injuries.

“This investigation was extensive and involved colleagues in both Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, all of whom assisted in the capture and detention of the suspects after they fled the scene as well as assisting in the securing of evidence.

John Tuffy from St Helens

“Many hours work went into preparing this case for court to secure guilty pleas from the defendants which meant we were able to avoid putting the victims through the trauma of giving evidence in court.

“The level of violence used by the men in this case was absolutely unnecessary. The perpetrators have now quite rightly been brought to justice and the public are much safer as a result of these violent offenders being sentenced to terms in prison.”

The ordeal came to an end when Mr Davidson convinced the attackers that his safe was not inside the house.

The crooks were arrested following a high-speed police chase on the M62, while Hayes was picked up at his home in Merseyside later that day.

Mark Platt from St Helens

Jones, from Maryville Road, Prescot, was jailed for 22 years, as were Lewellyn, of Recreation Street, Tuffy, of Harefinch Road, Platt, of Belvedere Avenue, all St Helens.

Hayes, of Hartley Grove, St Helens, was jailed for 13 years.

Speaking of his ordeal, Mr Davidson told the Hull Daily Mail: “It was the worst night of my life.

“My home, where I should have been safe, was invaded by masked men.

“I am now hardly able to sleep and I don’t know if my ankle will ever be fully healed.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Gayle Newland, who tricked her female friend into sex using a fake penis , was today jailed for eight years.

Newland, 25, concocted the online male persona of Kye Fortune to seduce her victim – before convincing her to wear a blindfold whenever they were together.

The victim claimed she never suspected her friend Gayle and “boyfriend” Kye were the same person, until she ripped off her blindfold during sex and discovered “the evil truth” in June 2013.

Newland, of Hooton Road in Willaston, Neston, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault by a jury at Chester Crown Court on September 15.

She was today sentenced at the same court.

Gayle Newland trial Jury told: be ‘unemotional’

Lawyers involved in the trial told the ECHO it was the strangest case they had dealt with “by some way” while Judge Roger Dutton described it as “extraordinary” in his legal directions to the jury.

Speaking in court, the victim said: “It may look ridiculous, I had no idea, I was desperate for love. I wasn’t closing my eyes to what was happening, I wouldn’t have gone along with it.”

Throughout the case, Newland always accepted she had a sexual relationship with the woman, but claimed her accuser knew “from the word go” that Kye Fortune was make-believe.

‘Role play’ claim

She claimed the persona was part of a “role play” and that her victim wanted her to act as a man because she was awkward about her sexuality.

The victim first came into contact with Newland, hiding behind the persona of Kye Fortune, on Facebook in 2011 and the pair became a couple.

The court heard former creative writing student Newland devised an intricate back story to the character of Kye, and admitted first using the fake profile when she was 13 as a way of talking to girls.

The victim said over the next year Kye would make excuses as to why they could not meet, claiming he had suffered from cancer and was involved in a car crash, and that the treatment had left him embarrassed about his body.

As their relationship progressed, Kye suggested the victim meet “his friend” Gayle Newland.

The court heard the victim would hold long conversations with Kye before calling another number to talk to Newland, unaware she was speaking to the same person using different mobile phones.

Watch: Newland leaves court on a previous occasion

Kye eventually agreed to meet the victim, under strict “rules” that she must wear a blindfold and a mask at all times.

The court heard the pair would lie on Newland’s bed watching television, even though the victim was wearing a mask and could not see the screen.

The final time they had sex, on June 30, 2013, the victim claimed she removed her blindfold to find Newland sat on her bed.

She told police officers in interview: “Something just didn’t feel right, so I sat up on the bed. Something in my mind said pull it (the blindfold) off, pull it off.

“I pulled it off and Gayle was standing their with a strap-on prosthetic penis. I just couldn’t believe it.”

Gayle Newland jailed for 8 years

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter – who was found guilty of sexually abusing three schoolgirls – is challenging his conviction today.

His application will be heard by three judges at the Court of Appeal in London.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was jailed for 16 years in February.

A jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of one count of attempted rape, one of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, and four counts of indecent assault.

Sentencing Glitter, Judge Alistair McCreath said: "I have read the victim impact statements of all three victims. It is clear, in their different ways, they were all profoundly affected by your abuse of them.

"You did all of them real and lasting damage and you did so for no other reason than to obtain sexual gratification for yourself of a wholly improper kind."

Glitter was found guilty of abuse relating to a girl aged 12, one of 13, and another aged under 10, committed when he was at the height of his fame.

Allegations against him only came to light decades later when he became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree, the investigation launched by the Metropolitan Police in the wake of the Jimmy Saville scandal.

Glitter, now 71, from Marylebone, central London, denied the allegations against him.

He found fame in the 1970s as part of the glam rock scene, scoring number one hits with I’m The Leader Of The Gang (I Am), I Love You Love Me Love and Always Yours.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A taxi firm boss told of his terror at being tortured by a masked gang who slashed his Achilles , stabbed him through the ear and almost severed his finger.

Five crooks travelled from Merseyside to Hull to wage appalling violence upon Chris Davidson, who was tied up, severely beaten and had his face cut at.

They stabbed his pet dog Feisty, threatened to kill his elderly mother and sliced the ear of his housemate, Neil Collingham – leaving a scene resembling a “horror movie”.

David Lewellyn, 29, John Tuffy, 28, Daniel Jones, 26, Jamie Hayes, 30, and Mark Platt, 30, were yesterday jailed for a combined 101 years after admitting aggravated burglary.

Lewellyn, Tuffy, Jones and Platt also pleaded guilty to wounding with intent.

Today, Mr Davidson, 52, who owns Hull Cars, relived the ordeal as his attackers were put away.

He said: “I am relieved beyond measure these men are behind bars.

“What they did was brutal and savage. It was terrifying.

“To torture another human being for the sake of money is something I find difficult to comprehend.”

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The gang, from Prescot and St Helens , burst into the Humberside home and demanded £50,000 they wrongly believed was kept in a the home’s safe, to which they had the key, shortly after midnight on March 9.

Feisty started to bark, prompting Mr Collingham to come downstairs, where he was jumped on by the gang, threatened at knifepoint and kicked in the head.

The gang found Mr Davidson upstairs, where they tied his hands and legs together, stole his Rolex watch and demanded to know where the safe was.

They told hime: “Let me make this absolutely f****** clear to you, we’re gonna cut your mate’s ears off if you don’t tell us where the safe is.

“I’m gonna cut your f****** dog’s head off. Your dog is getting its head cut off and you’re gonna f****** die, the pair of you are gonna f****** die’.”

Mr Davidson was repeatedly punched in the face, stabbed him through his ear and into the side of his head and in his leg.

‘Your mate’s ears are coming off’

One man cut away at his face with a serrated knife while saying: “We know you’ve got money. We’re not f****** about, you will f****** die and your mate’s ears are coming off.”

Despite desperately telling the gang there was no money, one of them tried to cut off Mr Davidson’s finger. As he tried to escape, another deliberately severed his Achilles tendon, crippling him so he could not run to escape.

Tied and gagged, Mr Davidson managed to convince the gang the safe was not in the house by handing over his £105,000 Range Rover, expensive rings, Rolex watch and cash.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC described the brutality as the worst he had ever seen.

He said: “This case is one of the worst examples of this form of crime I have ever encountered. Over a period of about one hour and a quarter, you executed a chilling campaign of calculated mental and physical torture upon two innocent men in their own home.”

Mr Davidson told of his thanks to those that helped him.

He said: “Throughout this dreadful ordeal, I have had amazing support from my friends.

“They spent two days cleaning my home, which these five men turned into what I can only describe as a scene from a horror movie.”

The ordeal came to an end when Mr Davidson convinced the attackers that his safe was not inside the house.

The crooks were arrested following a high-speed police chase on the M62, while Hayes was picked up at his home in Merseyside later that day.

Jones, from Maryville Road, Prescot, was jailed for 22 years, as were Lewellyn, of Recreation Street, Tuffy, of Harefinch Road, and Platt, of Belvedere Avenue, all St Helens.

Hayes, of Hartley Grove, St Helens, was jailed for 13 years.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter – who was found guilty of sexually abusing three schoolgirls – has failed in challenging his conviction today.

His application was heard by three judges at the Court of Appeal in London.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was jailed for 16 years in February.

A jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of one count of attempted rape, one of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, and four counts of indecent assault.

Sentencing Glitter, Judge Alistair McCreath said: "I have read the victim impact statements of all three victims. It is clear, in their different ways, they were all profoundly affected by your abuse of them.

"You did all of them real and lasting damage and you did so for no other reason than to obtain sexual gratification for yourself of a wholly improper kind."

Glitter was found guilty of abuse relating to a girl aged 12, one of 13, and another aged under 10, committed when he was at the height of his fame.

Allegations against him only came to light decades later when he became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree, the investigation launched by the Metropolitan Police in the wake of the Jimmy Saville scandal.

Glitter, now 71, from Marylebone, central London, denied the allegations against him.

He found fame in the 1970s as part of the glam rock scene, scoring number one hits with I’m The Leader Of The Gang (I Am), I Love You Love Me Love and Always Yours.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Fake penis sex attacker Gayle Newland is appealing her conviction, the ECHO can reveal.

The 25-year-old was jailed for eight years last week after pretending she was a man to have sex with her unsuspecting partner.

The marketing manager ordered her lover to wear a blindfold and scarf, keeping her true gender secret.

Newland has now launched an appeal to overturn her conviction, which led to an eight-year jail term, the length of which was considered harsh in some circles.

The university student, who is studying creative writing, lodged an appeal in October against the jury’s guilty verdict at Chester Crown Court.

Newland, from Willaston, near Neston, is yet to table a separate challenge on her eight-year jail term. She has 28 days in which to submit the necessary paperwork.

A Court of Appeal spokesman said: “We have received an application of leave to appeal against conviction.”

Gayle Newland jailed for 8 years

Newland, who wore a woolly hat for disguise and claimed she was hiding her body because of a tumour and embarrassing muscle wastage, will have her case considered by a single judge at the High Court in London.

If successful, it will be forwarded to a panel of three judges who will make the final decision on the strength of her conviction.

It could even prompt a guilty verdict being quashed or a retrial.

Newland, caught when her suspicious lover ripped off her mask to see the woman standing over her with a prosthetic penis, was seen sobbing as she was led away to a prison van on Thursday.

A court heard that she wore bandages to hide her breasts, and deliberately hid behind her alter ego Kye Fortune, and had sex with her victim 10 times.

Watch: Gayle Newland sentenced to eight years in prison

Newland even kept her mask on when they kissed and cuddled on the bed and watched films together, even once going out for a drive and then sunbathing.

She was convicted of three sexual assaults after a jury rejected her plea her lover knew she was a woman and they were playing along to a bizarre consensual fantasy.

If Newland’s conviction appeal is refused, her lawyers could still reinstate it and try overturning it one last time.

She was expected to undergo a strict mental health check by prison doctors when she arrived at jail.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Gayle Newland was described by Judge Roger Dutton as “deceitful, “callous” and “highly manipulative.”

But to me, as I sat in court, it seemed her distress at receiving eight years behind bars was genuine and overwhelming.

Newland, and her highly supportive family and friends sat in the public gallery, were clearly not prepared for such a heavy sentence.

The bizarre, lurid, and occasionally comical details which emerged during the trial have captivated what must be approaching millions of people.

As Nigel Power, QC, noted during the sentencing hearing, the case has made headlines in the local, national and international media.

Photo issued by Cheshire Police of Gayle Newland, who has been jailed for 8 years after she duped her female friend into having sex by pretending to be a man for two years. Photo by Cheshire Police/PA Wire

No-one watching the case could quite get to grips with the dynamic of the relationship between defendant and victim, and I found myself utterly astonished on more than one occasion.

Watching professional, serious barristers and judges discussing the features of a particular brand of prosthetic, strap-on penis was a surreal experience.

No doubt the 12 jurors, probably somewhat excited by the prospect of jury service, were completely unprepared for the extraordinary deeply personal evidence they would have to consider. But when the details are stripped away, the case revolved around two troubled, broken young women.

Gayle Newland jailed for 8 years

Today’s hearing was deeply unpleasant, with court professionals used to dealing with hardened criminals forced to drag a terrified and hysterical young woman to the cells, screaming for her family.

Court reporting does inevitably lead to a sense of detachment from the often strange, sinister and distressing nature of criminal cases,

But sometimes real-life bursts into the artificial setting of a courtroom and reminds us what is at stake.

The sheer devastation of Newland and her family was difficult to watch and there will be many people disturbed by the seeming harshness of her punishment.

Gayle Newland. Picture by: Andy Stenning

Last week, I covered the case of predatory Wallasey paedophile Karl Bromley, who was jailed for 13 years at Liverpool Crown Court for 21 sexual assaults on nine boys and girls as young as four.

Bromley’s actions were truly sickening, and left more than one family in pieces.

But with most prisoners serving half of their sentences before being considered for release, it is likely that Bromley will serve only two more years behind bars than Newland.

In another shocking case, Anthony Sherlock, from Edge Hill, could be released in just over six years after repeatedly battering his girlfriend around the head with an iron in a drunken rage, leaving her in a pool of blood.

This in no way should take away from the huge impact Newland’s actions had on the victim, who says she feels trapped in an “invisible prison” of social isolation by Newland’s deceit.

She was found guilty of a serious, devastating crime and the law is the law, but Newland is no monster and many will find it difficult to understand what has happened to her.

Whether Newland will appeal her sentence remains to be seen, but there were no winners today and I doubt these will be the last words written on her sad fate.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/