Operation made organiser ‘feel alive again’

KILLER Liam Whitnell told a judge organising a drug gang from prison 'made me feel alive again'.

The 36-year-old killer's letter was obtained by The News after judge Timothy Mousley QC agreed to this newspaper's request under open justice rules.

Whitnell, who was handed nine years for leading the Essex Boys gang from his cell at HMP Dovegate, said he at first found it hard to accept his 24-year minimum term for murder as he was just the 'driver' in the gang attack in 2011.

But he told the Portsmouth Crown Court judge he was, in his words, 'stupid and sorry' and added he was not trying to 'make excuses'.

In the letter he said: 'In 2018 when I took over my friend’s role in supplying the crack cocaine, I was lost mentally and this took my mind away from these bars and walls.

‘It made me feel alive again but it was short-lived, because now reality has come back around and I’ve lost everything I worked towards, my security clearance, my progression.

‘I have been moved in prison twice and placed in segregation. I don’t blame anyone but myself.

'Being locked up 23 (and a half) hours per day due to Covid and not being allowed to see friends or family has been tough.

‘My mental health suffered and catching Covid myself and not being able to breathe, watching friends and family pass away has made this sentence much more difficult.

‘But I’m now using my time in a positive way by giving myself the right knowledge and skill to leave the life of crime behind.

'I’m currently studying Anger and Aggression management level 2 and Business Studies level 3.

'I’ve also completed a number of other courses of which I have included the certificates.

‘I know because of this I will get knocked back on my parole and I won’t come out of prison for a very long time.

'I am sorry for everything my actions have caused.'

Whitnell said his sentence had been 'incredibly hard to cope with' but added:

'But over time and by doing courses I have learnt to understand how the victim’s family are feeling and that he might be alive if I didn’t drive my co-defendants that night.'