Latest news with #Skorpion
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Drug baron lived champagne lifestyle alongside celebrities before life crumbled
Well-spoken drug lord Keith Shea and his wife Sara, from Wallasey, were found to have earned at least £4,089,545 - with much more frittered away on their lavish lifestyle - by selling cocaine A drug baron lived a champagne lifestyle and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous after making millions peddling cocaine. University-educated Keith Shea and his wife Sara - who helped him launder the dirty cash - enjoyed a lavish lifestyle after earning £4,089,545 while people's lives were ruined through his supply of the addictive Class A drug. However, they earned far more and blew most of it on a jet set lifestyle - splashing out thousands on luxury holidays, expensive jewellery and designer clothes. They spent £12,000 on flights to Barbados, where they tied the knot, before dropping another £6,000 for a party at the luxury Hillbark Hotel in Wirral. Police eventually raided their home in Wallasey, where they found £12,000 worth of handbags, £100,000 his-and-hers Chopard watches, and a Skorpion sub machine gun. A £110,000 Aston Martin was parked on their driveway, alongside a £76,000 Porsche and a £46,500 BMW. Moreover, Shea would have a chauffeur drive him from their grand detached house in Wallasey all the way to London to dine at the most exclusive and fashionable restaurants. He was also frequently spotted in front row seats and corporate hospitality boxes at major sporting events worldwide - including the favourite of the super-rich, the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. When police examined the accounts, forensic accountants determined that Keith Shea had profited by £3,971,660 from his crimes, while his wife had gained an additional £117,885. However, their facade of a perfect life crumbled when the seemingly respectable baron was spotted by police leaving a lock-up garage. The officers swooped in on the garage where Shea would stash and package class A drugs. Upon his arrest, police discovered 3,128 ecstasy tablets inside a toolbox, alongside amphetamine paste, a significant amount of cocaine, the cutting agent benzocaine, scales, food mixers, and a hydraulic press, as reported by the ECHO. After Shea's apprehension in January 2007, Liverpool Crown Court was told that the street value of his drug cache was a staggering £4.4 million. A subsequent search of Shea's Wirral residence led to suspicions he was planning an upscale move to "footballer's row" with an £800,000 mansion in Caldy – a neighbourhood favoured by Merseyside's Premier League footballers – after an estate agent's brochure was found on his coffee table. Police also uncovered photos of Shea and his cronies enjoying corporate hospitality at the 2006 Open Golf Championship in Hoylake, and family tickets for the Cricket World Cup in Barbados. Shea had forked out £30,000 in cash for the Barbados trip but was arrested before he could take flight. Court hearings later disclosed that Shea utilised various locations for drug packaging and distribution, including a Wallasey flat on Sandringham Drive where a wardrobe concealed an array of firearms. His lethal collection included a loaded Skorpion sub-machine gun, revolvers, a silencer, and a magazine. Found alongside the firearms were hollow bullets, designed to expand on impact. Shea admitted to conspiracy to supply cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamine. He also entered guilty pleas for six counts of possessing prohibited firearms and four counts of having ammunition without a certificate, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence. Julian Nutter, defending, informed the court that Shea had been drawn into the drug trade after becoming a user himself. He mentioned Shea's remorse and the fact that his wife was divorcing him due to his criminal activities. His wife was subsequently imprisoned for two-and-a-half years for her role in laundering his illicit earnings. Insp Ian Shaw, from Merseyside Police, commented at the sentencing: "Shea is one of those characters that really sticks in the public's throat. He lived this extravagant lifestyle with all the trimmings yet had no visible means of support. "He had the cars, the house and was at any sporting event you care to mention. His extravagances show exactly the kind of cash Shea had to throw around. "We found evidence linking his drugs network right across the UK, from Merseyside to Devon and Cornwall. And from our investigations, he had dealt in at least 100 kilos of cocaine – worth in the region of £5m. "Shea is university educated and well-spoken but along with dealing in drugs there was a much more sinister side to him. We recovered numerous firearms during our investigations, including a Scorpion machine pistol with silencer, which is a very nasty piece of kit." Shea most recently emerged when he was photographed at a charity gala held at Wirral's upmarket Thornton Hall Hotel in 2015. Sporting black tie attire, Shea beamed for cameras at the £720-per-table, three-course fundraising event.
Wales Online
31-05-2025
- Wales Online
This man was known as 'Mr Italy' before his criminal empire fell apart
This man was known as 'Mr Italy' before his criminal empire fell apart The group he was a part of was also linked to large-scale drug supply. Andrew Cooney (Image: GMP ) A man who was found to have benefited from criminal conduct to the value of over £2 million is set to lose his luxury watches and overseas property following proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Andrew Cooney was involved in a criminal group responsible for the largest gun-running conspiracy ever disrupted by UK law enforcement. The group was also linked to large-scale drug supply, Manchester Evening News reports. The gang operated from a flat at Cotton Field Wharf, a residential development in Ancoats Marina where firearms, ammunition, drugs, and large sums of cash were stored. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here A judge previously described the group's activity as criminality on an 'exceptional scale'. The conspiracy involved the distribution of approximately £70 million worth of cocaine and the sale of 48 Skorpion machine pistols across the UK and Ireland, at prices ranging between £9,000 and £15,000 each. Top row, left to right: Andrew Cooney, Daniel Waters, Mohammed Omar Malik and Daniel Gibbons. Bottom row, left to right: Sean Hogan, Conor Sandlan and Adrian Gonzales Cooney, who was referred to as 'Mr Italy' in reference to a property he owned there, was involved in the supply of drugs and firearms and acted as a broker for the group. At his address in Alderley Edge, police recovered a kilogram of cocaine from his Audi A3, along with two Porsche vehicles parked outside. Officers also seized a number of luxury watches, mobile phones, a vacuum packing machine, and paperwork relating to a villa in Italy. In 2023, Cooney was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Following a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act, he was found to have benefited from crime in the amount of £2,376,867.89. However, his available assets were assessed at £32,158.95. This includes a Rolex Daytona watch, an Audemars Piguet watch, and his share in the Italian property. At a hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday (May 29), Judge Bernadette Baxter ruled that if the amount is not paid within three months, a further 12 months will be added to Cooney's sentence. Under proceeds of crime legislation, prosecutors can seek to recover the financial benefit of criminal conduct, with funds often directed toward community initiatives. During his trial, Cooney told the court he had worked on a market stall as a teenager, later as a cleaner and youth worker, before moving into property auctions. He said he became involved in drug dealing due to financial pressures. Cooney, 39, of Oakfield Close, Alderley Edge, was found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was acquitted of conspiring to supply amphetamine. Mohammed Omar Malik, aged 33 and of St Mary's Parsonage, Manchester city centre, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 38 years in prison. Daniel Gibbons, 39, of Wordsworth Road, Reddish, Stockport, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to supply amphetamine. He was acquitted of conspiracy to supply MDMA and was sentenced to 28 years. Daniel Waters, aged 41 and of Broom Avenue, Reddish, Stockport, was found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life. He received a sentence of 26 years and 6 months in prison. Sean Hogan, 40, of West Park, Denton, Tameside, was found guilty of conspiring to supply firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He was also found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and ketamine. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Conor Sandlan, 32, of Redfearn Wood, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, as well as conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 30 years and 6 months. Adrian Gonzalez, aged 33 and of City Road East, Manchester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, and to conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Article continues below
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Steven Gerrard's daughter Lilly-Ella shares update as she prepares to give birth
Lilly-Ella Gerrard, the eldest daughter of ex-England captain Steven Gerrard, is expecting her first child with her partner Lee Byrne, and she is set to give birth any day now Steven Gerrard's eldest daughter, Lilly-Ella, has shared that she is nearing the end of her pregnancy journey. The 21 year old influencer took to Instagram on Monday, posting two photos of herself lovingly holding her growing baby bump, captioned with 'Almost there'. Lilly-Ella announced in January that she was expecting her first child, who will also be the first grandchild for the football legend. She has been romantically involved with Lee Byrne, son of imprisoned Irish gangster Liam Byrne, since October 2022, a relationship that caused quite a stir when it was first revealed. Remarkably, the former Liverpool and England star will be just shy of his 45th birthday on May 30th when he becomes a grandfather for the first time. The parents-to-be have yet to disclose the gender of their baby, leading fans to speculate that they are keeping it a surprise until the birth. Gerrard, the former midfielder, shares four children with his wife Alex - daughters Lilly, Lexie, 19, Lourdes, 14, and a son named Lio, eight. Earlier this year, Lilly shared a photo of her positive pregnancy test with her 222,000 Instagram followers, captioning it: "Our little secret. The best news... mini us is on the way." In response to his daughter's post, Gerrard commented: "We can't wait. Congratulations and we love you." Lilly's partner, first linked to her in 2022, is the son of Kinahan Cartel gangster Liam Byrne, who is currently serving a five and a half year prison sentence for a plot to amass a collection of machine guns. Ipswich Crown Court heard how Byrne and colleague Shaun Kent planted a stash of automatic weapons was planted in an attempt to assist Kavanagh in deceiving the authorities. Kavanagh, Byrne's brother-in-law, aimed to lead the National Crime Agency, Britain's equivalent of the FBI, to the firearms in a bid to lessen his sentence in a drug conspiracy case. The collection, imported from Holland, included the Skorpion, the type of automatic weapon used to murder Ashley Dale and Ellie Edwards on Merseyside. Liam is a Kinahan Cartel's mob boss who has links to three of the most wanted men on the planet. He was reportedly released with an electronic tag as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's controversial Early Release Scheme to prevent overcrowding in prison. Liam's son Lee, celebrated the sentencing with a "get in there" adding "I love you da. See you soon." And Lilly followed with a snap with her beau declaring her love for him. The couple became an item after Lee moved into a gated community in Freshfield, one of Merseyside's more desirable post codes. The Byrne and Gerrard families are said to have bonded since the young couple began dating, with Lee describing Alex Gerrard, Steven's stunning wife, as his second mum. Lilly and Lee have been dating for two-and-a-half years after meeting when she was 18 and he was 23 years old. Their relationship was made public when they were holidaying together on the sunny party island of Ibiza. The pair often share pictures together on their Instagram accounts, and Lee previously referred to Lilly as "the best person he's ever met." There is no suggestion that Lee or any member of the Gerrard family are involved in crime.
ITV News
16-05-2025
- ITV News
Man convicted of killing Ashley Dale calls new witness in bid to overturn sentence
A man convicted of murdering council worker Ashley Dale has called upon a new witness to help him overturn his conviction and sentence. Season Zeisz was one of four men convicted of Ashley Dale's murder, after she was shot inside her own house in Old Swan in August 2022. Twenty-eight year old Ashley Dale's life was tragically cut short when James Witham stormed her Old Swan, Liverpool, home, breaking through her locked door to shoot her with a Skorpion submachine gun on August 21, Crown Court learned during a 2023 trial that her partner, Lee Harrison, was the actual target of the fatal shooting. During his trial a jury heard that, while Zeisz did not pull the trigger, he "actively and intentionally encouraged the shooting". Zeisz and his co-defendants James Witham, Joseph Peers and Niall Barry were unanimously convicted by a jury after a seven-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court in late 2023. Zeisz was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 42 years behind bars. Zeisz was due to bring his case before the Court of Appeal on Friday 16 May to challenge his conviction and sentence. Shortly after the hearing began, his counsel Adam Davis KC and Tim Forte KC applied to adjourn while they confirmed if a new witness was willing to give evidence. Mr Davis told the court it was "regrettable" but "we received last night a witness statement type-signed but not hand-signed from a witness who evidence had been chased from". He said it was their "preliminary view" that the witness's evidence was relevant to the case review but they wanted to make sure he was willing to give the evidence in Davis told the court: "The evidence was not available to the applicant at trial. It is our firm view that this evidence could assist. It is a matter for the court to admit the evidence." Lord Justice Baker, who presided over the hearing with Mr Justice Soole and Her Honour Judge Heather Norton, said it was difficult to adjourn the matter without knowing the nature of the evidence. Mr Davis responded: "I think the content will reveal not only the subject matter but also the identity of the person." He added: "Our concern is about the safety of the witness."He added the witness had indicated "a reluctance and fear [to give evidence] and we have to be alive to that". Mr Davis told the court: "The indication is the witness was panicking, on medication as a result of these matters."He indicated he did not want to be dragged back into it, did not want his name in the papers. He indicated he's still not alright now but is willing to provide the evidence… we are resistant to give further details." After the judges rose briefly, Lord Justice Baker confirmed the matter was adjourned so Zeisz's counsel could obtain a signed statement from the unnamed witness to adduce the fresh evidence. The case will next be heard before the Court of Appeal on July on the murder trial heard gunman Witham and "driver" Peers, were "dispatched" to Leinster Road to assassinate Harrison and "leave no witnesses". They received their orders from Barry and Zeisz, who were said to have been directing operations from a flat on Pilch Lane in Huyton. The court heard "certain events at Glastonbury Festival" in June 2022 had played an important part in the alleged motive behind the attack. This included associates of Ms Dale's boyfriend Harrison assaulting Zeisz, who was arguing with everyone in defence of Barry. Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the trial: "It is clear that Sean Zeisz felt deeply humiliated from what had happened at Glastonbury." The court also heard that Barry then sided with Zeisz, with this "fresh" dispute having compounded a "separate and longstanding antagonism towards Lee Harrison", who was not present at the time of the attack.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Manchester's self-styled 'Rocky' jailed for selling guns and drugs
A professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter who once described himself as Manchester's answer to Rocky Balboa has been jailed for dealing drugs and selling Menga, who also called himself The Italian Stallion, was caught when the National Crime Agency (NCA) infiltrated a once-encrypted messaging service. The NCA said Menga, 37, boasted in Encrochat conversations that he had Skorpion automatic machine guns that were "always good for a rainy day".Menga, of Salford, was sentenced to 15 years and five months when he appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday. Menga, of Mount Street, Swinton, admitted conspiracy to sell or transfer banned weapons and cocaine detectives trawled through thousands of anonymous Encrochat messages which detailed drug deals, firearms sales, and assassination attempts, the NCA identifying Menga through messages in which he openly spoke about his girlfriend, knee injuries from fighting, and his home gym, detectives knew Menga was the man behind the handle "wirelessshark". 'Evidence trail' A drugs expert estimated Menga was involved in drugs with a street value of between £490,000 and £620, was arrested when his home was raided on 15 January NCA said: "Menga, like many criminals before him, thought he was hiding behind a secure communications system."Instead, he created his own evidence trail that has led them straight to jail."In December 2017 Menga told BBC Three of his ambitions to rise up the UFC (Ultimate Fight Club) rankings as a had just received notice of his debut UFC fight."For me this is a Manchester Rocky story," he said. "A lad from Manchester takes a fight on 12 days' notice."The Rocky movie franchise features a rags-to-riches story of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer
