Sunderland drug dealer among gang convicted for supplying 'lethal highs'

Steven Southam, inset, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply NPS.

Twelve people were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday following a number of raids carried out in March

The raid, which took place in Newcastle, had been targeting vulnerable people in the city centre and supplying them with New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) - now known as "lethal highs" - which left them in a "zombified" state.

The sentences were passed at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

Many of those taking the drugs were being targeted by the dealers and resorted to begging in the city centre to fund their addiction.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation into a number of suspects and used covert and undercover tactics to identify suppliers.

They then used new legislation introduced in December 2016 to carry out a series of raids at addresses and arrest them.

That activity saw more than 200g of psychoactive substances seized at just one address which had a street value of £2,000.

The raids were carried out in Newcastle.

Each bag of product was branded with names such as Spice, Old Jamaican Extreme and Alabama Wildfire alongside the words: "Not for human consumption".

In total, 11 suspects were eventually charged in connection with supplying NPS. Some were also charged with the supply of harder Class A drugs.

Following yesterday's hearing, some members of the group have been jailed for as long as four years for charges linked to the supply of so-called "lethal highs".

The charges in full

Steven Southam, 33, of Ripon Street, Roker, Sunderland, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply NPS. He failed to attend court yesterday and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Darren Argent, 51, of Springfield Road, Cowgate, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply NPS before and after it became illegal. He was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Barry Ramsey, 27, of St Julian Gardens, Howdon, Wallsend, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply NPS and being concerned in supplying heroin. He also admitted taking part in a distraction burglary on a 91-year-old in Jesmond and an affray. He was jailed for a total of four years.

John Hall, 32, of Wingrove Road, Newcastle, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply NPS and supplying heroin. He was jailed for two years.

Reece Spearman, 21, of Hallow Drive, Throckley, admitted conspiracy to supply NPS. He also admitted a robbery of a teenager in Leazes Park. He was jailed for 19 months.

His twin, Ryan Spearman, 21, of Hallow Drive, Throckley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply NPS. He also admitted two burglaries and aggravated vehicle taking. He was given an 18-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 240 hours unpaid work and a 12-month driving ban.

Louis Davison, 22, of Westgate Road, Newcastle, admitted conspiracy to supply NPS and affray. He was given 12 months suspended for 12 months with 180 hours unpaid work.

Nichola Day, 37, of Ladykirk Road, Newcastle, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply NPS and was given six months suspended for 12 months.

Sarah Hankin, 24, of West View, Elswick, admitted supplying and offering to supply NPS. She was given a community order.

Daniel Macauley, 26, Of West View, Elswick, pleaded guilty to permitting his premises to be used for the supply of drugs and he was fined £250.

Kawsar Ahmed, 56, of New Bridge Street, Newcastle, admitted being concerned in the supply of NPS. He was fined £500.

Sean Kyle, 45, of Bentinck Terrace, Newcastle, admitted conspiracy to supply NPS. His case was adjourned until January for a drug rehabilitation assessment.

'Huge' amount of work to get offenders behind bars

Newcastle city centre Chief Inspector Dave Pickett praised his officers for being proactive in their use of the new legislation.

He said: "I just want to say that Newcastle isn't alone in having an issue with NPS and the effects that then has on people in the city centre.

"As a force we have been very proactive in our approach whether that be through releasing videos of the effects on users or by executing warrants to disrupt dealers.

"The fact that this is one of the first cases to come to court under the new NPS legislation should be a real plus point and should reassure the public that we are doing everything we can to tackle the use of such substances.

"Our officers have used a range of tactics available to them and gathered a huge amount of evidence that left the defendants with little choice but to plead guilty.

"Sgt Andy Percival and Sgt Fran Joyce in particular have carried out huge amounts of work to ensure that these individuals have been put behind bars.

"I am very happy that the judge has handed down custodial sentences and this should act as a real warning to those who are supplying NPS in our region."

Anyone who wants to report the supply of NPS, or "lethal highs", should contact police on 101 or report it online here.

If you are stuck in a cycle of addiction and want to find support then you can contact the charity Changing Lives on 0191 273 8891 or visit Talk To Frank.