Nicola Daley secures convictions in long-running drugs and firearms case
October 7, 2019
Nicola Daley from Exchange Chambers (led by Nigel Power QC) has successfully prosecuted a long-running drugs and firearms case at Liverpool Crown Court.
In total, 14 criminals were sentenced to a total of 119 years in prison as part of Operation Blush, Merseyside Police’s probe into “Wavo 420” a cannabis supply network that operated on the streets around gang leader James Lunt’s Wavertree home.
Lunt backed up his exploits with an arsenal of weapons. Two guns linked to him were used in at least 22 shootings on the streets of the UK. All but one of those blasts – fired from a Beretta pistol and an Uzi sub-machine gun – took place on Merseyside.
Over 11 months of hearings, Nicola Daley detailed the drug and gun network to two juries. The prosecution concluded with the sentencing of Lunt and seven of his associates on Friday 4 October 2019.
James Peter Lunt, 29, of Celendine Close, Wavertree, pleaded guilty to conspiracies to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; possess prohibited firearms for transfer; possess ammunition without a certificate; and to supply Class A drugs (cocaine) and Class B drugs (cannabis). He was jailed for 21 years with an extended licence period of three years. He will serve at least two thirds of that sentence before being considered for parole.
Lee Spencer Brown, 30, of Holmrook Road, Norris Green, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug (cannabis). He was sentenced to six and a half years in jail. Brown was represented by Damian Nolan from Exchange Chambers.
Catherine McGuinness, 50, of Nickleby Close, Toxteth, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; possess prohibited firearms for transfer and possess ammunition without a certificate. The mum was jailed for 12 years. McGuiness was represented by Wayne Jackson from Exchange Chambers.
Michael Connerty, 33, of Lemon Close, Wavertree, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess prohibited firearms for transfer; conspiracy to possess ammunition without a certificate and conspiracy to supply Class B controlled drugs (cannabis). Connerty was jailed for 14 years and will serve half of that sentence before being eligible for release.
Thomas Porterfield, 37, of Llangollen, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess prohibited firearms for transfer and conspiracy to possess ammunition without a certificate. He was sentenced to 13 years in jail.
Alan E’Von, 22, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition without a certificate. He was sentenced to 13 years in jail.
James Bennett, 25, of Arnold Grove in Wavertree, was convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis. He was jailed for five and a half years.
Lee Jones, 25, of Mile End, Vauxhall, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug (cannabis). He was sentenced to three years in jail.
Also sentenced previously:
Adam Bigley, of Windfield Close, Kirkby, was sentenced to six years and nine months for possession of firearm.
Anthony O’Reilly, 29 of Huddleston Road, Wavertree, was jailed after significant amounts of ammunition and Class A and B drugs were recovered from his address in May 2017. O’Reilly was sentenced to five years and six months after pleading guilty.
Thomas Browne, 32 of Cornhill in Liverpool city centre, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and was sentenced to 27 months.
Liam Ackers, 25 of Mill Lane, Wavertree, admitted conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. He was also sentenced to 27 months.
Kieran Hodge, 29 of Frampton Road, Walton, pleaded guilty to production of a controlled drug (cannabis). He was sentenced to six months.
Max Jones, 22 of Mile End, Vauxhall, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug (cannabis) with intent to supply. He was given to a two-year community order.
Nicola is a member of the criminal team at Exchange Chambers.
