Exchange Chambers barristers act in Liverpool gang trial
November 21, 2016
Barristers from Exchange Chambers have acted in a guns and drugs gang trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Mark Ainsworth and Martine Snowdon prosecuted members of Bootle’s notorious Fernhill Gang who were jailed for a total of 95 years.
The Fernhill Gang’s leader Kyle Shiels, 26, was jailed for 16 years after he was caught importing and selling heroin and cocaine and tried to smuggle illicit substances into HMP Liverpool. Another man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for 11 years and 10 months.
Judge Anil Murray handed out the following sentences to other gang associates:
- Terence Nixon, 39, of Hereford Drive, Bootle – nine years and nine months
- Connor McKevitt, 22, of Salisbury Avenue, Bootle – 10 years
- Kevin Roberts, 23, of Brook Hey Drive, Kirkby – 13 years
- Robert Lee, 26, of Queen Street, Waterloo – five years
- Brian McClelland, 35, of Louis Pasteur Avenue, Bootle – three years and six months
- Gary Wells, 51, of Towers Avenue, Maghull – four years and six months
- Anthony McCormack, 48, of Bedford Road, Bootle – eight years
- Neil Smith, 49, of Hillary Drive, Crosby – two years
- Sam Knowles, 18, of Orrell Road, Bootle – 12 months
- Abbey Knowles, 18, of St Asaph Grove, Netherton – two years
- Steven Fletcher, 21, of no fixed abode – five years
- Kevin Bell, 44, of Northfield Drive, Bootle – three years and three months
- David McGrady, 45, of De Villiers Avenue, Crosby, will be sentenced at a later date.
Andrew Smith from Exchange Chambers defended Gary Wells, successfully arguing against a mandatory seven year sentence for his client.
Nicola Daley from Exchange Chambers defended Abbey Knowles.
