Drugs gang ringleader locked up for 12 years

ENTERPRISE STRETCHED ACROSS THE NORTH EAST TO TEESSIDE

THE ringleader of a North East drugs gang who bought thousands of pounds worth of heroin, cocaine and MDMA has been jailed.

Harry Fletcher operated a “substantial drug-dealing enterprise” that involved the wholesale purchase of class A and B drugs.

The 26-year-old bought kilos worth of cocaine, heroin, ketamine and MDMA and used encrypted chats to organise the purchases.

Fletcher was involved in one payment for drugs worth £67,000 and laundered some of the funds from the drugs enterprise into his legitimate businesses.

Fletcher, of William Wailes Walk, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for four counts of conspiracy to supply drugs. He appeared at the court last week via link from HMP Durham.

The court heard that Fletcher used Encrochat messages to keep in contact with wholesale drug dealers, and was known as ‘Yellow Train.’

David Povell, prosecuting, said that during a three-month period in 2020, Fletcher bought three and a half kilos of heroin, two kilos of cocaine, five kilos of ketamine, and one kilo of MDMA. The drug enterprise stretched across the North East and as far as Teesside.

Mr Povell said: “Fletcher never, or rarely, had his hands on drugs at all”.

The court heard that Fletcher’s codefendant, William Davidson, of Somerford, Springwell Village, Gateshead, worked as his “grafter”, and would be the one to pick up the drugs. He also used Encrochat to keep in contact with Fletcher and was known as ‘Greggs Steak Bake.’

On one occasion, a package was picked up from a Lidl car park. Mr Povell added that Fletcher was “running the operation” and was involved in “negotiating purchases of large quantities of drugs”.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said Fletcher had previously had a “dependency on diazepam” and that he was prone to “bravado”.

He said he was “an addict at one point”, but had abstained from drugs or alcohol for the past two years.

He added: “He took a leading role in this particular hierarchy, but there were people above him. He is open enough to say he had the opportunity to make quick, easy money.”

Mr Cornberg said that since being remanded in prison, he had helped others as a sort of “personal trainer” in the gym and wanted to work in the health and fitness industry.

Sentencing Fletcher, Judge Julie Clemitson said: “You were operating a substantial drug-dealing enterprise, buying wholesale class A and B drugs... it was well established.

“You had customer debts of multiple thousands of pounds. Purchases were being made for drugs by the kilogramme.”

The judge jailed Fletcher for 12 years. Davidson, of Somerford, Springwell Village, Gateshead, was jailed yesterday at Newcastle Crown Court for conspiracy to supply drugs.

Davidson’s girlfriend, Victoria Trotter, 26, was also involved, but played a lesser role by acting mainly as his driver as he carried out his drug offending. Trotter, of the same address, was given a suspended sentence for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

The offences were committed over a three-month period in 2020.

Christopher Knox, defending, said Davidson was on his way to becoming a chartered accountant before he was involved in a death by careless driving offence, committed before the drugs conspiracy.

He said Davidson was 17 years old and behind the wheel when his “best friend” was killed in a crash.

Davidson later pleaded guilty and was locked up for eight months in 2018, as well as being banned from the roads for three years.

Mr Knox said following the conviction and prison sentence, Davidson “got involved in drugs at a time when he was newly out of prison”.

Speaking of the drugs conspiracy, he continued: “He performs a limited function under direction. He was a damaged individual who was in a bad way.”

Andrew Walker, defending Trotter, said: “This is the first and last time she will trouble the courts in her life.”

He said that her sentence could be suspended and that she was now self-employed after setting up her own business.

Addressing Davidson, Judge Clemitson told him he was Fletcher’s “right-hand man”, saying: “You were taking much more risk, dropping off large sums of money and picking up large quantities of drugs. You were financially motivated.

“You suffered a number of bereavements in tragic and difficult circumstances over a short period of time. You had a difficult background before that time and turned to drug use and fell into a lifestyle that was destructive. You had to pay off debts you had amassed.”

The judge added it was “clear” Davidson was remorseful.

Addressing Trotter, the judge said: “You played a much more limited role which was not in the conspiracy. You drove Davidson on some occasions when he distributed cocaine as he was disqualified from driving.”

Davidson was jailed for five years and four months. Trotter was given a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must complete 210 hours of unpaid work.

Harry Fletcher