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Drugs ring trio win cut in jail sentences
THREE members of a multi-million pound drugs ring have all won appeals against their sentences totalling more than 45 years.
David Bunn, aged 43, of Pickard Crescent, Richmond, Sheffield; John Newell, 37, of Townwells Road, North Anston; and Mark Burbidge, also 37, of Pottery Lane East, Chesterfield, were jailed for their parts in the massive conspiracy.
Burbidge admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing a prohibited weapon at Newcastle Crown Court in August last year.
In November 2007 he also pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to conspiring to supply cannabis and was jailed for 13 years and three months.
Bunn and Newell both admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and conspiring to supply cannabis and were jailed for 15 and 17 years respectively.
Now Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, sitting with Mr Justice Bennett and Judge Martin Stephens QC, has reduced Burbidge's jail term to 12 years, Newell's to 15 and Bunn's to 13 years.
All three sat in the dock at the Court of Appeal to hear the judges allow their appeals.
The court heard Burbidge was arrested in May 2007 after he was spotted leaving Liverpool in convoy with another vehicle, heading for the North East. He was stopped by police in Durham, where they discovered a concealed compartment filled with cocaine.
Mr Justice Bennett said the drugs had a wholesale value of 584,000 – but, once diluted, could have been sold on the streets for millions.
Burbidge's home was searched and police found 3,000 in cash and a self-loading pistol.
Burbidge was a "courier" for a "sophisticated operation" who knew he was involved in serious criminal activity, the court heard. Burbidge, Newell and Bunn were also involved in a conspiracy to supply drugs in South Yorkshire and beyond between March and July 2007.
Newell and Bunn were the organisers, he said, while Burbidge was responsible for collecting and delivering the drugs.
Police recovered cocaine which could have been sold for as much as 8 million on the streets, the judge said.
But Mr Justice Bennett, allowing the appeals, ruled that the "totality" of the trio's sentences was too high.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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