24 years' jail for £1million Teesside drugs ring trio

THREE “leading players” in a £1m drugs ring were beginning a total of more than 24 years behind bars today. The trio, including a mum-of-three, were jailed yesterday alongside two others involved in the distribution of drugs on Teesside. Teesside Crown Court heard that the five were arrested following a 17-month period of surveillance by Cleveland Police. Prosecutor Simon Myers said evidence gathered demonstrated that Angelique Huggett, her ex-husband Dominic Huggett, and another man, David Turnbull, were “a principal part” of a drugs network dealing in large quantities of heroin, cocaine and amphetamines across the North-east. Mr Myers said: “Seventeen months of surveillance does not reveal anybody above these three people in this operation.” Alongside them in the dock were John Muldoon, 24, and Gareth Devlin, 25, who were said to have taken smaller roles. Judge Gillian Matthews said police in the case, who had used large numbers of resources, man hours and expertise to “put a stop to a substantial chain of drug supply in the North-east”, should be highly commended. Sentencing the Huggetts and Turnbull, the judge told them: “I’m satisfied that you three were the leading players.” Angelique Huggett, 44, of Dishforth Close, Thornaby, was given a total of eight years and 10 months. David Turnbull, 42, of no fixed address, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs, received the same sentence. Dominic Huggett, 43, of Centenary Crescent, Norton, was handed a seven-year jail sentence after admitting conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Adrian Dent, defending Angelique Huggett, said she had no relevant previous convictions and had pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs. He said that not only was she a mum to three, she had also taken in another child after the death of the girl’s mum. He said: “I’d say she bitterly regrets her involvement. She realises that she has ruined her life for the near future. She is distraught that she will be estranged from her family for a long time.” Michael Bosomworth, for Dominic Huggett, and Christopher Knox, for David Turnbull, said neither had previous convictions for drugs offences. Antony Cornberg, defending Muldoon, said he accepted full responsibility for his actions. He was a semi-professional boxer with a partner and child. He had now ceased his own drug use. Brian Mark, defending Devlin, back in prison on licence for a motoring offence, said his client had been involved “for one day only” and was remorseful. Muldoon, of Bedlington, Northumberland, who had a previous drugs conviction from 2006, was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years with supervision, a thinking skills programme requirement and 200 hours’ unpaid work for possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply. Devlin, of Willow Terrace, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 10 months for possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply. Detective Inspector John Ward, of the Regional Organised Crime Unit, said afterwards: “The sentences today are a tremendous result against an established organised crime group who would have been responsible for distributing over £1m worth of drugs, including cocaine and heroin, across the North-east.” He said criminal gangs would continue to be targeted and evidence presented before the courts. Comments (8)